Snowy, Snowy Night
December 14, 2007
Last night about 9:00pm I was talking to Mir, when I told her I really needed to go and round up my children. She laughed because HER children were already in bed. That is when I confessed that mine were outside playing.
They were supposedly “helping” to shovel the driveway, if by “help” we mean throwing snow at each other, knocking the piles of snow that line the driveway back onto the driveway, and burying yourself under the snow.
Miles didn’t last outside that long, and truthfully I was probably ready to go back inside even before he was. I have lived here for 12 years and yet I still do not own snowpants or tall enough boots for myself. I think I am secretly in denial about living in the Arctic. My boots keep my feet warm but once the snow is above my ankles it is all over. I sometimes wear one of my son’s snow pants and boots to go outside and shovel, but since last night was the first big snowfall of the season all of my children wanted to play in it. And they all selfishly wanted to wear their snow gear and be warm.
Here is a picture I took of them working hard outside in the driveway. There were only a few hearty souls still out there at this point. if you look closely you can see my reflection in the window. I am standing on the kitchen table.
They finally started filtering into the house. Miles and I worked together to make cups of hot chocolate for everyone. Me putting the chocolate powder into the mugs. Him licking his fingers and sticking them into the mugs. I reasoned that at least he wasn’t coughing or spitting into the mugs. And the boiling water would kill any germs, right?
By 9:45 everyone was inside. The pile of wet coats, snowpants, gloves, neck warmers, hats, boot inserts, and socks were tossed in a heap in front of the wood stove to dry. Waiting for the magical fairy to come and spread them out neatly to dry, rotating them so they all dry evenly.
We were all sitting around the table, drinking cocoa by candle light, while I did the Advent reading. The snow was still falling outside. I looked at them all with their bright red cheeks, hair standing up all crazy from their hats, their hands cupped around steaming cups of cocoa, and for a brief moment thought that maybe winter isn’t all that bad. It was very brief. Then I heard that another storm is coming this weekend I may have weeped big fat tears.
Unrelated, Miles had been saying that for his birthday he wanted a snowball.
What my baby want, my baby gets.
And if you are looking for a craft to do today with your children, head on over to Ordering Disorder, where I show you what I made with tin cans, some labels, a nail, and tape.
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I like your advent wreath on your table, what I could see of it. I bought candles for a wreath last year…when they were all on sale. We sat down on the first day of advent and I got the candles out, ready to teach the kids all about it. My Hubby walks in the room and simply declares “you have it all backwards.” then walks out. How can I have it backwards? It’s a circle. Well…the wreath was fine, my candles were backwards, three pinks and a purple! Oops. We are using out imagination now, since I couldn’t find any at the store besides white and then when I went to the bigger store, I forgot. Maybe by week 4 we won’t be backwards anymore.
I add cool whip to my hot cocoa, LOVE IT!
December 14th, 2007 at 10:29 amMagical fairy indeed. I have half your number and probably only 1/4 the snow you have and that magical fairy has YET to visit my house. How much you payin’ her?
December 14th, 2007 at 10:59 amI love it! My mom always let us kids go out past our bedtime when we would get a big snowstorm. It was soooo fun! We just hoped school would be delayed and built forts and igloo’s by the light of the moon. You are helping them make beautiful memories! My mom didn’t have hot cocoa waiting for us though. Enjoy the snow for me. I miss it dearly.
December 14th, 2007 at 11:00 amChris, when it is snowing like that do you ever send them out with squirt/spray bottles full of colored water? It is one of the bestest fun time ever to color the snow!
December 14th, 2007 at 11:11 amChris says:
ACK, NO!!! Honestly, I am having heart palpitations just thinking about the mess that would be multi-colored snow all over my yard. And my husband would drop dead of a coronary. He has a hard time dealing with chalk on the driveway.
Oh wow, that’s so amazingly wintery! We don’t have any snow here in Scotland yet but you’ve put me in the mood for a snowball fight when it eventually does come!
December 14th, 2007 at 11:54 amI don’t know if it is your turn of phrase or the real deal but you are the ONLY person that makes me want to have more children!!
Seriously it is the madness partnered with the companionship that does it.
Lucky you with all that snow!
Amy
December 14th, 2007 at 11:55 amHa ha Laughing about the colored snow..
I wish it snowed here, you kids are going to have wonderful holiday memories.
December 14th, 2007 at 12:08 pmThat last picture is incredible.
December 14th, 2007 at 12:09 pmBrr! The snow looks pretty, but I don’t envy you at all. I only like snow in pictures. I’ll take out 80 degree weather anytime. That said…it does make for great photos — I love the one of Miles and the snowball. I’m glad he got what he wanted for his birthday!
December 14th, 2007 at 12:16 pmI know it’s not, but you’re life sure seems like a fairy tale to me. What the holidays are all about.
OK…back to reality.
December 14th, 2007 at 12:26 pmGirlymom4….I live in Germany where nearly every family has an advent wreath and I rarely see the pink and purple candles. People just use what they like. Our candles happen to be a gold colour because we make our own from beeswax.
Chris….You wrote “I may have weeped big fat tears” but I have a terrible habit of reading ahead with my peripheral vision (don’t ask, I’m weird like that) and I read “I may have weeped big fat farts”. ???? I need help.
December 14th, 2007 at 12:28 pmSo glad you were able to enjoy that snow! Bedtime, who needs bedtime?
December 14th, 2007 at 12:32 pmHa! We had snow too and are NOT looking forward just as much to the next snow storm. At least I am not looking forward to it, and I am the one that counts, right, not the kids.
I managed to get out of the house before yesterday’s snow storm though, figuring it’s better to be stuck away from home than at home ^^
Karen
December 14th, 2007 at 12:46 pmMy kids who normally do not want to help with any outdoor chores are always excited to help with the snow shoveling. (well, at least the first snowfall, then, not so much!) They do enjoy the hot cocoa afterwards though. BTW, I don’t see you in the window reflection, is it just my eyes? Hmmm. Sorry about your impending snow storm, that stinks! Hope you have a nice weekend, and lots of fun celebrating Miles’ b-day!
December 14th, 2007 at 12:53 pmOh,..almost forgot! I did check out the tin can art project, they are really quite pretty! Very creative of you, and yes, in a shabby chic way! (It didn’t remind me of a double wide, either-HA)
December 14th, 2007 at 12:56 pmMy kid is so happy to see your kids in the snow! We go back to New England at Christmastime each year and after two Christmases without snow he’s ecstatic that it looks like it will be a white Christmas this year!
December 14th, 2007 at 1:16 pmYou’re a good mom. Playing in the snow is MUCH more important developmentally than getting into bed on time.
December 14th, 2007 at 1:25 pmThat came out sounding snarky, but was actually sincere.
December 14th, 2007 at 1:25 pmSo, the snowball that Miles wants…is it to throw at someone or to be thrown at him or perhaps kept in the freezer for later?
December 14th, 2007 at 2:04 pmSo fun. Bedtime be damned!! If my kids had snow like that, they would never sleep!
December 14th, 2007 at 3:05 pmCompletely unrelated to the events in this post (which do look like terrific fun), and based solely on your review, I bought my eight-year-old son the Spongebob camera for Hanukkah. It is a huge hit (although I am now being stalked and photographed in every position and yes, have many photos of the tv). Almost better than the camera is the software for editing the photos and putting in characters and backgrounds. Thanks so much!
December 14th, 2007 at 3:28 pmI let my kids stay up late a few weeks ago for the slight dusting of snow we had on our grass. They ran around, put on their snow gear, pulled out their sleds, and watched it all melt as it hit the grass and pavement
Enjoy!
December 14th, 2007 at 3:39 pmI’m still wondering what you do about home-schooling when there’s a snow day or delay. For instance, most of us in CT had a snow day yesterday and a delay this morning — did you? And I’m with you, this winter thing is just not much fun. At least you get real snow up there, down here on the shore we got an inch of snow then about 1.5 inches of ice which froze into a nice crust. It’s so warm today that it’s all going to melt into slush and refreeze overnight and stay ice tomorrow which is supposed to be frigid — all just in time for Sunday’s storm!
December 14th, 2007 at 4:23 pmAwesome pictures!! I really can’t believe (in the 1st pic) that it’s so cold the childs clothes are frozen like that, I’ve never seen anything like that in my life! I guess I’m so oblivious down here in Texas, in my t-shirt.
My Christmas wish is to one day have a big wonderful family like yours, although I do fear I could never measure up to your supermother skills. However when I tell my husband I want 5+ kids, he never says a word instead he always leaves the room…
December 14th, 2007 at 4:40 pmAbsolutely fantastic! Of course I only had my two little ones outside yesterday and I still have a pile of wet jackets and snowpants and stuff scattered by the door. Oops.
Oh, and my almost-four year old said, “What’s that boys name?” and upon hearing the answer he said, “Miles? He makes me smiles.”
December 14th, 2007 at 4:42 pmI have boots, really ugly boots, but never think to ever put them on. Until I’m scraping the snow off my car, shin-deep in snow with wet socks.
December 14th, 2007 at 9:29 pmI know you guys are heartily sick of the snow by winters end, but I would love just once ( I have many years ago) have a lovely white winter. Everything just looks so magical.
I could feel the warmth in the moment you were describing sitting with your kids sipping hot chocolate. YUM MMMMMM What a precious moment. How about you divert that snow storm to Western Australia.
Take Care and Enjoy while you can.
Lots of Love Carolynn xxx
December 14th, 2007 at 9:58 pmHey, I’ll cry with you! We had snow all day Monday. And today. And yeah. More is coming. So much, in fact, that they are already predicting TWO snow days in a row. It takes a lot for them to cancel even for one day, let alone two. Time will tell. I imagine it will only be one snow day. Parents will be mad if it’s two days. Either way, I hate winter. Hate is such a strong word. I’m careful about when I use it. But I do believe it appropriate in this situation.
December 14th, 2007 at 10:25 pmHey, Heather’s Garden, you actually had a snow day AND a delay from 2&1/2 in. of ice and snow??? I could only wish. Here they won’t cancel unless we’re close to a foot of snow, and it’s not stopping. If it’s stopped or even slowing down, school’s on!
December 14th, 2007 at 10:33 pmThis is so very much Winter : )
December 14th, 2007 at 11:23 pmBJ, it’s partly because our towns are extra-cautious after one local town miscalculated the last ice-storm, and didn’t get some kids home until 10:00 pm (and those buses don’t have bathrooms, so . . . ). I think they’d rather be safe than sorry! Although I admit that I’m always especially impressed how you guys make it to EVERYthing even in blizzards (I’m guessing you’re in a Northern, middle-of-the-U.S. or Canada area?).
I need to suck it up and get some snowpants and decent boots too, especially as mine is an only child so I ALWAYS have to be the one who goes out to play with her, ack!
December 15th, 2007 at 9:11 amThese boots will almost reconcile you to the weather:
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/29659658/c/106056.html
Maybe not as fashionable as you would like boots to be, but you will be able to walk in the snow and ice in warmth, comfort and safety.
December 15th, 2007 at 10:12 amStill laughing at how you think you live in the Arctic…That’s my line. I invented it while sitting in my igloo.
Love the pics. As usual.
December 15th, 2007 at 5:29 pmhmmm. . . .the snow.
December 16th, 2007 at 12:01 amMy kiddos have no idea what that is here in Houston.
But I’m reliving memories of my times in Chicago every December.
They beg me for snow! Oh I so wish (my kid were wearing shorts and t shirts to school on Friday). This makes me dream.