Snow Day!

About two weeks ago (March 6), we had our first significant snow all winter. For a little girl (Leah) whose favorite season is winter, that Wednesday was an answer to prayer. She finally had snow to play in!

Since the roads weren't bad, we headed over to my parents' house so that the kids could play with their cousin Skyler. As soon as we got there, Mom (Nama) and I dressed the kids in their snow-garb: Leah in 2T snow pants (on loan and way too short!) and rain boots (she doesn't have any snow boots. What's the point buying them if there's a good chance she'll go all season without wearing them?), and Hunter in a 2T snowsuit (way too big!) and tennis shoes (again, no boots, see previous reason). Michelin Man, his big sis, and his cousin bounded outside, ready to play. (Well, Michelin Man lumbered outside.)

First item on the agenda? Coloring the snow with water bottles filled with colored water. I had thought that they could draw pictures in the snow, but they didn't quite see it that way. Their interpretation involved dumping out the water in one big spot on the snow.

Next up? A snowman! Mom and I started the snowballs for the kids, and then they proceeded to roll 'em down the hill. Once Leah and Skyler had rolled the bases, we tried positioning and stacking them by the tree. Unfortunately, when we placed one on top of the other, the top snowball was so heavy it crushed the base! Oops! So... we made snowbears instead. This actually worked out better since they were kid-sized, which meant all three of them could add the necessary appendages. (I did move the paws of one bear, though; the initial placement made the bear a bit busty.) The final touches involved more colored water (this doesn't show up in the photos).

By the time we had finished, runny noses abounded, so it was time to go in for hot chocolate and cookies fresh from the oven (thanks to Nama and her little helpers). Ahhh, snow days. For all the fuss and hassle with wet clothing, it was definitely worth it!

Coloring the snow. Leah's in the purple coat. At least the rain boots reached the too-small snow pants.

Michelin Man.

Leah rolling the base of the snowman. Notice the hat. It partially covered her eyes the entire time (I never noticed), so in every photo, she's lifting her chin up so that she can see.

Two snowbears, two girls, and the Michelin Man.

Hunter tried rolling a snow ball with Nama.