Had that big snow--now we are done

Last week we were out of school for a few days because of the snow.  The weather reports called for anywhere between 5 inches and 60 inches.  It was kind of stupid how broad the forecast was, but as it turns out--we got about 2 feet of snow.  Thankfully it did not last long, but while it was here the kids really enjoyed it.  We did realize that we needed to get the snow off of the trampoline quickly as it weighed down on the springs.

This is something really silly to share, but I was so happy with the end results!  When the kids were younger, I purchased snow bibs, boots and gloves for them all.  As the years have gone on, we have handed down outgrown ones to each other and Ryan has often worn clothes and boots of mine.  We often wear slicky athletic pants over sweatpants because I just have a hard time justifying paying for all of these things when we often have one big snow a year.  Seems like we can just make due for that one snow.  And they do.  Last year, I made note that all of the hand me downs were completely outgrown and the boots I loaned Ryan and then loaned Emily, had lost their soles.  Hard to use that way.  So, I knew this year I had to break down and purchase some more snow stuff.  The kids are at the age where they still like to go out in the snow, but they never stay long because they often get too cold.  Lack of proper clothing.  :)

The snow forecast was calling for snow to start on Friday.  On Thursday, I thought about the fact that I had nothing for them to wear if it snows the next day.  It is bad that I tend to think of these things in the 11th hour.  I called several places to find that all the thermal gloves in the city were gone.  I called and found that many places no longer had boots in stock.  I did find three pair, and the woman on the phone said she would hold them for me.  In addition, I found a sled (was down to only one of those last year too) that someone was selling on our work classifieds.  When I talked to her she told me about another person on the classifieds who had bibs and snow pants that they were giving away.  Jenny (my friend selling the sled) had grabbed them up to have extras for her older kids who don't play in the snow too often anymore.  She said I could have them since I could not find snow clothes anywhere in the city.  She also had an extra pair of bibs that her kids used to wear.  She gave us those as well.  I picked up the boots and layered several pair of gloves along with work gloves that seemed to push the water away a little bit.  THEY HAD THE BEST TIME IN THE SNOW!  For the first time in a few years they stayed outside all day long.  They took Loki out a few times, but since he doesn't have snow pants to wear, he got cold quickly.  We went sledding and had a blast.  Loki ran up and down the hill over and over following everyone and running in front of the sled a time or two--he seemed to enjoy getting run over though.  At one time, Ryan exclaimed, "this is the driest I have been in the snow ever!"  Of course he had been drier, just years ago and he does not remember.  I felt like a terrible parent knowing that he has been cold and wet for so many snows.  By far, the BEST snow we have had in a long time.  This, coming from a person who does not like snow at all.



Loki, Lydia, Ryan and Emily dressed in their new snow clothes.  Wish you could see their boots.  :)

We gave our wagon away several years ago.  The kids have been wanting to wagon Loki around, but have not had a wagon to do that with.  So, Ryan pulled out the fertilizer spreader, put a towel in the bottom and wrapped Loki up and let him ride in there.  It was so funny!!  Mike and I looked at them through the window and said (at the same time) "Looks like ET."  Though the picture was taken from inside and is not that good, you get the ET look.  Too funny!

Sledding fun!!