I didn’t build it, but I think he’s very cute!
You know what really grinds my gears? WINTER. No not really, I just wanted to put that in there.
I like snow. I like it to fall and be all pretty for Christmas, and then I just want it to please, please just go away. So I’m really not a huge fan of winter itself, though I will say that I had a hard time when I lived in Florida-it was difficult not really having that change in seasons. Last winter was a fairly warm one here in Iowa, and we really only had two snows, one which wasn’t even during actual winter (in November, actually!)
When my husband and I were first married, we lived in a nice little trailer that we owned. Winter meant frozen pipes about once a year. I remember losing more than one hair dryer to the undercarriage of the trailer. Eventually my husband bought a space heater and just left it under the trailer by the evil pipes. It was all ready to plug in for the inevitable. I do remember it always seemed to happen at the most inopportune times. The year I was 39 weeks pregnant, for example, was not a cool time for that to happen on Christmas Eve.
I do remember having all kinds of fun in the snow as a child. I spent a good amount of time outside. It may have had something to do with the fact that “The Empire Strikes Back” came out around the time I was in kindergarten. All that time pretending to be on the ice planet Hoth. We built forts and snowmen and snow tunnels and all kinds of really cool stuff. Come inside? It was more fun OUTSIDE!!
Now we have two children who really like the “idea” of snow, but aren’t so keen on the snow itself. They get all fired up to go out the first time it snows, and will play outside for awhile and then come in. The next time, they aren’t as enthused, and by maybe the fifth time I ask them to go out they will suddenly invent other things that they have to do inside. They have been wanting to build a snowman, but lack the motivation and knowledge to do so. My son actually came in and asked for directions. I really think he wanted me to pull out a laminated instruction book!
You don’t need instructions, you just need an imagination. A warped one is even better.
I’m not sure if I should be trying harder to get them to toughen up or write them up some plans on what to do while they are out there. Today for example, I actually got them to go out. We have a fenced in backyard, so I can let them out and just keep an ear to the door while they are out there. Within five minutes I hear ear piercing screaming. I went outside and investigated. Princess Difficult was sitting in a sled, shrieking, and her brother was standing next to her, bopping her on the head with one of those balls you sit on and bounce around on. He wasn’t hurting her, but apparently she really didn’t like it. I should have taken a picture. What do these kids think they are supposed to do in the snow? I’m thinking we’re going to have to go find a big hill-that might make things a bit more interesting. We live in the flattest town in Iowa. There are really no hills! In order to go sledding we have to drive somewhere to do it.
This was when the snow first fell. You can tell this because she looks like she is actually having fun.
He too looks quite happy, but it makes me wonder about what?
We have investigated the array of snow enjoyment materials they have at Target and Walmart. Of course they had sleds, which only really helps if you have hills. They did have snowshoes for kids-these looked very tempting to me but were a little pricey for a kids item (I think they were $10 each). I really think I might go to Goodwill and buy tennis rackets to make my own for them. Other things I saw included some sort of snowball launcher (which made me think of the scene from Elf). My husband made a lot of fun of that one. There were these little tubes of colored stuff that you could use to “write” in the snow. Couldn’t you do that with paint, or with your pee (come on boys, you’ve ALL done it!) We HAVE all the good stuff: shovels, buckets, snow brick mold. If only we could convince our kids to use them!
How long will we have this weather? It’s only January. Since we live in Iowa the length of the season can go either way-it can be warm and end early in March (unlikely, unless you count last year) or it can be freezing cold and snowy and last clear into June (that has seemed to happen more than once). I vote for a winter with some snow to throw my children out into and ending right around the last week of March. That would be just peachy.
In the meantime, we’ll get out a little every day when we can, make sure we have plenty of warm blankets and warm drinks so we are toasty warm and happy all winter long. Then we’ll move into a season I can really get behind-good old SPRING!
It will all be over soon. In the meantime…
If you didn’t find this blog through Theme Thursday, come on over to Something Clever 2.0 and read other people’s takes on “Winter”! If you did-HEY, go back and read some MORE! 
My kids now want to build an upside down snowman today. The picture of your daughter is so cute!!
I could never live in a place like Iowa. Sounds worse than PA. Really, snow can bite my ass. I commend you for putting up with it. Ugh.
I will be staying by a fire with a hot latte thankyouverymuch. It’s even been too cold outside for my boys! I always love your graphics – the one with the robber holding the hairdryer – bahahaha!
I’m usually inside drinking something warm, especially me being so sick! As a matter of fact I’m drinking peppermint coffee and eating apple cinnamon steel cut oats out of the crockpot-and I’ll be sending my son out in the white stuff to walk to the bus quite shortly! I’m staying in here.:-)
I like how you do winter! I’m with you: inside and drinking something warm
I’m on my second cup of coffee now and the little one hasn’t even woke up yet. I’m preparing for the mini tornado that she is.
I wish my kids would sleep in late enough for me to have two cups!! Or maybe I should wake up earlier…
Whatever.
I found that smaller cups is key. I used to put my coffee in giant mugs thinking I’d get more out of it. It just got cold.
I think I’m going to start putting mine in a travel mug. Less reheating, less chance of spillage. Win-win, right?!
Well, YEAH! My travel mug has a funky smell. I think I need a new one!
I LOVE upside down snow men!!! Gosh I wish we could go sledding… My brother broke his leg sledding so I am probably NOT going but I like to watch!
I bruised my tailbone once after becoming airborne on a wooden sled! It was the landing that killed me. Ouch!
OHHH OUCH!! I hear that HURTS… I had a friend brake hers but she wasn’t sledding LOL !!!!
Don’t laugh: I don’t know how to build a snowman. In fact, my son just asked me to build him one after he saw that first pic, and I had to admit it to him, too.
Theme Thursday: Snow Confessions.
LMAO!!!
As a child we lived in Nebraska where the snow would pile up so high we could dig a cave big enough for an adult and two kids to climb into and still be so deep into the drift we could walk on top. God, that was a terrible idea…. My parents were from California and obviously didn’t think about the cave-in implications… Come to think of it… how did I survive childhood?
I LOVE THE PICS!!! DIdn’t i say this on your last theme post too?? I am easily distracted!!! I’m sure what you wrote was cool though, okay im kidding I read it!!
My oldest loves the snow too and considering she is a midget its hilarious to see her swimming through it to make a snow angel!
I love the upside down snowman!
Not fair! All I have is sun and palm trees. It’s going to be 82 degrees here today and dammit, I miss the snow!!! I have to make my snowmen out of beach sand!
I remember those days. It was weird not having winter when I lived there!
It’s true. We really only “enjoy” the snow when it first comes down, and for a day or two. Anything after that is just unnecessary.
Agreed. I’d like to register a complaint with Mother Nature!
Ooh. OOH! CAN WE DO THAT?! I will wait in line for WEEKS if that means getting my way! I don’t even care if it’s just on my property all year round…
I love the post and pictures!
You’re not going to believe this but my 5 year old was just looking over my shoulder when I was reading this and he wanted a better look at the upside down snowman. He asked me if there was any directions on how to make it……I burst out laughing!
Bency, you and my son could have some things to talk about!
We were lucky to have a great tobogganing hill nearby – it was always a fun activity. Get together with other families and then come home for hot chocolate after. Other than that it was Sunday afternoon public skating or Friday evening public swimming at the indoor pool for winter activities.
Wow – you are loaded with cool snow toys! I’m sending my kids to your house. (We don’t get much snow in Georgia.) Your daughter looks like she is having a blast! I’m with you…let’s stay inside and drink hot things.
I have peppermint schnapps…
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This is wonderful–the pictures, the writing, everything! The snowman on his head should be be poster picture for holidays turned upsidedown!
Thanks! I thought it was cute. Now to actually make one!
I am so jealous of your fenced yard! To be able to send the kids out to play in the snow while I stay inside sounds delightful!
“Snow enjoyment materials” cracked me up.