Snow Fun!

I have to admit, even with all the snow we have had this winter, Saturday was only the second day we went out to play in it. (The first was Thursday when I was frantically shoveling the driveway so Seth could get home.) Historically, Benj and Talia have not handled snow very well. Last year the few times they went out to play, they came in screaming bloody murder because it hurt for their feet and hands to thaw out. Even just getting into the car caused tears because the cold made their hands hurt. It just wasn't a real fun experience. So, combining the inevitable with all the jackets and hats and mittens and double layers and the lack of proper foot gear (I refuse to spend $20 on boots they would wear 2 or 3 times), I've been sort of resistant to getting us outside. But Benj has been asking, so I knew we needed to at least try.

Saturday was the day. We spent at least 40 minutes getting everyone dressed, tucked, and bundled. Decked out in fleece pants, covered by jeans, fleece sweatshirts, double socks, fluffy jackets, and waterproof mittens we made our way out into the world of white.

Seth had devised an impromptu sled, crafted from a moving box, some spare rope, and nylon straps (for the kids to hold on to). To the side of the house our yard slopes down to a little access road, so this became our bunny slope. The kids LOVED the sled. We pulled them down the hill over and over for nearly 2 hours. Even Leila got in on the action! We *all* had so much fun running and laughing and exploring and making a glorious mess of tracks in all that smoothness. When Talia got too cold standing in the snow (last year she refused to go out at all) she got out the tricycle and peddled around on the driveway, so even she enjoyed herself immensely.

The best part was: due to the invention of milk-free, corn-free hot chocolate, I was able to promise hot chocolate to everyone who came inside without throwing a fit. We came inside, stripped off everyone's outer layer, put the kids under my new electric blanket for a few minutes, and all was well! Maybe we will have more snowy experiences to share this winter.

Here are some pictures of the fun:

Benj tries out the make-shift sled Seth made for the kids

 

 Talia and Leila loving our little bunny slope

 I love this picture of Benj just glorying in plowing through that snow!

 So proud of his snow angel! He's been dying to make one all winter.

 Talia is not exactly a snow bunny, but she found something to do while she was taking a break!

 Leila explores the white stuff up-close and personally.

 Leila got brave enough to do the sled all by herself. She LOVED it!

 At the bottom of the hill with Daddy

 Leila sitting in the snow for the first time. She thought the whole experience was SO funny.