A theme for February

We've talked about how I love a theme. In February I always hit health hard with my kids. I tend to interpret Valentine's Day as a time to cover self love; which has resulted in unit studies and joint reads that cover self esteem, anger management, personal health and hygiene, self regulation, growth mindset etc. Under the theme of passion in February I always cover sex education with my kids too.

In the past we've read, studied, chatted, and researched using a plethora of books over the years specifically in February such as; Usborne's What's Happening to Me? Guy Stuff: the Body Book for Boys, American Girls The Care and Keeping of You Vol. 1 & 2, Celebrate Your Body (and it's changes too), 30 Days of Sex talks for three different age categories, Good Picture, Bad Picture for two different age groups, Own Your Period-A Fact-filled Guide to Period Positivity. Now obviously, I don't limit the conversations to a single time of year but February definitely acts as a heavier catalyst for these conversations. 

[On a side note reader BEWARE, if I figure out how to do affiliate links on books I talk about I will. At the very least you'll be able to see which books I'm talking about in particular by clicking the links. Back in the day I would have taken great pleasure in simply providing a thumbnail type picture that may have or may have not included a link!]

So. 

February. 

It's historically the time the I can come into a set mindset of loving myself more as well. I don't know if I intentionally can't get myself to fall in line health and personal fitness wise during January on principle or if some other hidden psychology is involved. I surely never truly get my act together until February. This year I've got a little ongoing social date with a girlfriend to walk outside two days a week. I'm working on hopping on my Peloton consistently every week too. 

I've been cleaning up my diet and drinking my greens. I can say that since last year I'm down 15 pounds and I'm proud of that. I can admit that I was not putting in the effort and my lifestyle willed it. That has NEVER happened! Since last year around this time we moved to Washington state and we did a full 'do it yourself' move and drove across country with our two vehicles, three kids, and big ass dog. When we got to Washington my husband's job had us both hitting the ground running. When I tell you this was the fastest I've ever gotten our house up and functioning AND involved in our surrounding community, I mean it! It was a whirlwind but we are quite settling into life in the PNW. 

Additionally, being a black woman, my kids being bi-racial, and also homeschoolers we study black history and figures all year long. In February I kick it up a notch; I guess what this really means is consistency. This year we're focused on the Harlem Renaissance. Crash Course on YouTube has some excellent animated videos to kick off the study and from there we delve into the Great Migration, art, music, authors, poets, fashion, figures. It's truly excellent and exciting and unbelievable to learn about this period of time. The 1918's to the 1920's and 1930's; it was the best of times and it was the worst of times- truly!

What are February's like for you and/or your family? Are you more of a January life stacker? Are there traditions or cyclic habits that you didn't even realise you adopted? How are your healthier lifestyle goals coming?