Sledding!

A Good Thing

Well it finally snowed more than an inch this past week. Last Monday we got a good 6-7 inches of snow here in Pittsburgh and while it wasn't the blizzard I've been hoping for it was an improvement.

The really sad thing is that I was flat on my back sick in bed while Alex and the kids romped around in the fluffy white stuff. They did throw a couple of snowballs at my window and took pictures of their adventures for me to see. I was just so sad to miss it.

Here is a picture of the kids and their friend Frosty! (he is still there now but tomorrow it is supposed to be 51 and rainy...bye bye Frosty)

Baby, it's cold outside!

My goodness the deep freeze has set in. I'm glad I took the kids outside to play last night because the next few days are going to be too cold for much outside time at all. The pic above (not mine...found it by googling Pittsburgh snow pictures!) is of the dinosaur statue outside of the Carnegie in Oakland. He looks cold too, no?

Stay warm my friends. Pop some popcorn, cuddle up under a blanket with your loved ones, and settle in. I'm thinking warm thoughts of you all!!!

I love that Groundhog...this year!!!

Early this morning Punxsutawney Phil, the world's most famous groundhog made his yearly prediction about the onset of springlike weather. He didn't see his shadow and so spring should be here early this year!!!

So as I sit and type, the snow is falling outside my window and the forecast for the weekend is for high temperatures of 10 and low temperatures of -5. But still, Phil says spring is coming early and so I'm feeling relieved and excited. The end is in sight and before I know it things will be blooming and we will be playing outside everyday again!

Before you question my sanity too much, I know this groundhog isn't the true measure of the weather...but it feels like a psychological victory for me in the battle against the winter blahs. I've made it to February and with Daylight Savings Time starting earlier this year (March 11) the end is in sight. I don't hate winter...in fact this one has actually been rather pleasant! For some reason, though, I crave the sunshine that is in short supply in my neck of the woods this time of year. I love the warmth of it on my face and though I've never been addicted to anything I feel much the way I imagine a addict does while waiting for their next fix. Any glimpse of the sun draws my attention and awakens in me an intense desire for more.

Pretty soon it will be sweltering and I'll probably complain about that too. I like moderation...I don't care much for the extremes. Sunny, 82, low humidity...that's my ideal weather. Anyone know a place like it? If so, I'm moving.

Happy Groundhog Day!

The First Snowfall

Brrrrr! It's cold here in the 'burgh. Today the high was 30 and that was this morning early. The temperature dropped quickly and the snow began blowing. At the first sign of a flake the girls were ready to don their snow pants and boots and head out the door. They complained that it wasn't falling fast enough and asked why I couldn't do anything about it. I know someday I will long for the days when they thought I had power over everything!

Eventually there was enough snow on the ground for them to go out and play...but boy was it COLD. At that time I think it was in the low 20's with a blustery wind. (I know that now the windchill factor is 0 degrees or less) Well they lasted out back for 45 minutes with me gazing at them from the warmth of my den. With Jack napping I didn't feel comfortable being outside so the girls agreed to play on the deck...and for the most part they stayed right there except for sneaking down the steps to make snow angels...who could blame them for that?!

They came in all rosy cheeked and frozen and we went through the whole routine of getting undressed...I clearly remember the painful process of getting all done and then undone from snow attire as a child! Then I made them mugs of hot (well really just warm) chocolate with big scoops of marshmallow fluff (another of my childhood faves). We sat at the kitchen table talking about how there is supposed to be more snow tonight and maybe tomorrow we can build a snow fort or snowman. It was pure bliss for all of us.

My girls look at the snow and they see a brand new playground! A new covering for the same old ground that they see everyday...nature's extreme makeover. It is exciting and exhilarating and they have an energy that warms my heart. I love their outlook. I look at snow as an inconvenience...a hassle. It's going to cause traffic (that I don't have to drive in), it means we have to shovel (and Alex does that anyway), and well, it's just unpredictable.

Unpredictable is not my favorite. See I like to know what is coming and to be ready for it. When I was a kid, life was predictable. If it snowed, we were going to get all geared up and head out with the whole neighborhood to go sled riding. Then when we couldn't feel our hands, feet and faces anymore we would whine all the way home and my mother would make us hot chocolate with marshmallow fluff. It always happened that way.

Somehow in my journey I have lost the ability to embrace change and transition. I dread these things now and find myself anxious and grumpy when faced with a hurdle involving significant change. But maybe if I could learn to look at change the way my daughters look at snow, I could embrace it again. It would cease to be an inconvenience and begin to be an adventure...the possibility of an extreme makeover for my life.

Winds of Change...literally!

We have been experiencing a wonderful spell of warm weather lately. Since Thanksgiving it has been in the 60's with a lot of sunshine. It has been great to be able to be outside with the kids and let them get some playtime in before the winter sets in. I've also had the windows open some to get fresh air in the house. and I love that.

But today that is all changing. We woke this morning to a temp of 65...so nice! But the clouds are rolling in and the wind is picking up. There is a high wind advisory for today and by tonight the temp is supposed to be in the 20's with snow showers!!! From one extreme to another. Tonight we are going to Light Up Night in our little borough, so I guess it is good that it's cooling down. I do find it hard to get "into" the holiday spirit when it is warm outside. So we'll walk down to a little park here and watch as they light the HUGE evergreen tree and the Santa will make an appearance on a fire truck and hand out candy canes. The kids will love it and then we can walk home and snuggle in from the cold.

Lately some friend sand I have been talking about the whole idea of Santa and whether to tell your kids about him. I'm not talking about this from a Christian perspective (that is an whole other post) but rather from the perspective of what some people consider to be lying to your children. I suppose in a very technical and legalistic sense perpetuating the myth of Santa is lying, but I have never seen it that way. I loved the magic of Santa as a child and I remember so many fun times huddling under the cover with my brothers on Christmas Eve and being SURE we heard the tapping of reindeer hooves on the roof. We tried to be as quiet as we could because everyone knows Santa won't come unless you are asleep! In our family not only did Santa bring presents but he also decorated the tree. So we went to bed on Christmas Eve with an undecorated tree and no gifts and woke up in the morning to a beautifully decorated tree and a room teeming with presents. It was thrilling to run down the stairs to see what Santa had done.

As we each came to know that Santa was really my parents we got to join in on the decorating and enjoy watching the surprise on the faces of the remaining believers! I can remember vividly when my younger brother realized that Santa was my mom and dad...I think I was more upset than anyone! I was sad that this era was over...some of the magic disappeared. But I was never angry at my parents or felt as if I couldn't trust them because of Santa. On the contrary, I appreciated all of the effort they gave so that we could have a magical experience of Christmas. And in the midst of it all we knelt around our Advent wreath every night and prayed, calling to mind the real reason for our celebration. There was balance between love and magic and reverence, it was wonderful.

So while I respect the right of every parent to make the choice regarding Santa that is best for their family I want to say thanks to my mom and dad for the wonder of Santa I experienced as a child. I loved it and hope to pass that magic onto my kids.