What gives? We haven’t had enough snow to play in and it’s nearly February. Right now, it’s currently sleet-ice-raining. In case you didn’t notice, sleet-ice-rain is not snow. It’s crap. Ice is crap, Old Man Winter. Crap. With a capital C.

In November, I made the hair band reference joke, that “nothing lasts forever, even cold November Rain.” But you know what? It has! I understand you’re not in charge of November or even the beginning half of December; that’s the Funky Fall Fairy or whatever. But I thought for sure when we were denied a White Christmas that the snowflakes would soon fly and cover the yard in a spectacular blanket of white.

But no.

We’ve had some snowflakes. Here. And there. But they weren’t even enough to cover the grass (that seems to be growing, what with the 60 degree days in January and all). To top it off, quite literally, you topped off our last snow with a glaze of ice so thick that we couldn’t even park in our own driveway. Not cool. Not cool at all.

All of this would be mostly tolerable, but I kind of made one of those parental slip ups that looms over my head darker than the gray, snowless January clouds. It happened just the other day. LittleBrother was lamenting the fact that we had no snow to play in… yet again. He was getting kind of four-year-old angsty, and I let the words fly before I considered their weight.

“It will snow enough for us to play in this winter, LittleBrother. I promise.”

As soon as I said the words “I promise,” I knew I had gone wrong. I can’t promise anything about weather. In fact, I wouldn’t put it past you, Old Man Winter, to just give us a dusting of snow between now and spring to prove your point. Plus, both the boys and I got new snow boots for Christmas. It’s almost destined not to snow, isn’t it?

And so, I promised my youngest son that it would snow. I promised. And I’ve tried to teach my sons that we keep promises in our family, that our words hold a lot of weight and that we should keep true to our word. But, in my defense, I had only had a half a cup of coffee and was on question number 412 before 9:00 in the morning. Surely you can cut me a little slack?

I don’t need a lot of snow, but I won’t complain if there’s a boatload either. I just want to hear my sons giggle and laugh in the snow. I want to build an angry snowman with them again. I want to look at the joy on their faces, to see the magic in their eyes.

I just want to keep my promise.

So, could you pretty please see what you can do? I’ve defended you for years, and I maintain that winter is my favorite season. Surely you could give back a little. Pretty please, with snowflakes on top?

If not for me…

…for him.

Sincerely With heartfelt love of winter,
FireMom

Today the not-so-Snowpocalypse hit the area. For awhile there, it was snowing hard. The boys were giddy. So was I. I knew as soon as I finished my work hours, we were going to get our snow gear on, get our butts outside and get to the important work of snowball fights, sledding and general snow fun.

Except, I forgot that I am currently without a pair of snowpants.

Last year, I broke the zipper on the ski pants I had for years. I attempted an outdoor snow-venture without them but ended up with snow in areas one doesn’t really want to have snow. For our first snow this year, I attempted to put on a pair of really old (I’m talking high school, people) wind-pant-type-of-material pants. As you might imagine, they didn’t fit all that well.

And so, I have no snowpants.

I just got a new ski jacket. It’s black and white and, wait for it, green. I know you’re surprised. I just want a pair of simple black pants, though I do like the version of bibs that Lands’ End carries as well. The problem? I don’t know where to find them other than Lands’ End. And you’d think Lands End would have their snowpants on some kind of reasonable sale considering Target has swim suits in the store. But no. No sale. And spending $80-$100 on pants that I can only wear 2-5 times per year in places and situations that lend to tearing, ripping and general damage seems… well… wasteful.

Who else carries adult snowpants? For reasonable prices?

Because I’d really like to join these guys…

…before they don’t want to play with me anymore.

(But don’t worry, FireDad threw enough snowballs for me. And at me.)

I know that you’re kind of unpredictable at best. Maybe you’ve taken the whole repeated playing of “White Christmas” since, what, Halloween to heart. Maybe you thought to yourself, “You know, it’s been awhile. Maybe I’ll give it a go this year.” Maybe you just feel like throwing wrenches in the works of peoples’ plans.

But listen to me, Weather. White Christmases are overrated.

I know. I know. Everyone wants one except those people who moved to warmer climates specifically to avoid them. And perhaps if I didn’t want a White Christmas, I should move my family as well. Except that we’d be far away from our families, which is the high point of our holiday celebration — however aggravating those said family members might be. We love to spend our holidays with our families.

And if you dump a bunch of snow on us, we won’t be able to drive to Pennsylvania to spend Christmas with my family. We haven’t spent Christmas Day in Pennsylvania since 2006. And if you ruin that? Well, Weather, I’m going to have some choice words for you. In fact, while cussing at you, I might cry. And you don’t want to make this woman cry — ON CHRISTMAS — do you?

I didn’t think so.

Don’t get me wrong. I like snow. In fact, I’m one of those people who loves snow. And, really, a White Christmas is beautiful. If you just gave us enough to cover the grass but magically kept the roadways clear and free of ice and snow, well, I’d be thrilled!

You see, Weather, this is our first Christmas without Grandpa. And as hard as it is going to be, I need to be home this year. I need to be there so my Grandma can focus on my dyed red hair instead of her sadness. I need to give my dad a hug. And help my mom in the kitchen. And let the noise and speed and glee of our noisy, speedy, gleeful children distract everyone else from the empty spot at the table.

I’m sure we’ll make it work if we have to stay home. We’re buying a backup ham. There are phones. And webcams.

But, please Weather, just a dusting this Christmas, okay? The Farm already looks lovely. It’s really all I want this year.

Sincerely,
FireMom

We ended up with our first snow of the winter season yesterday and, as such, a Snow Day. We were supposed to drop off our toy donation to the local Secret Santa (gifts for kids) program, but didn’t want to chance the roads in the evening when snow was set to be falling again. So we pushed that back and got to play in the snow.

I wrote about the magic of a Snow Day last year. I wasn’t really feeling it today as I had work that simply needed to be done. It’s also Show Week for me, so my stress level is kind of through the roof. However, I am so, so glad we took the time to go outside — as a family. So glad.

I took some time taking pictures before I jumped on a sled with the boys. I really need to purchase a waterproof camera so I don’t have to go set it inside just so I can play, too. But I did get some fun sledding pics.

I grabbed the camera again (and took a photo for Picture the Holidays) when we started our snowball fight. The rule was that they couldn’t hit my camera, but my legs were fair game. I got more than a few snowballs, but it was worth it. I’m particularly proud of the next two photos.

Every time FireDad rolled up a snowball for LittleBrother, LittleBrother threw it right back at FireDad.

BigBrother squealed so loud every time FireDad went to launch a snowball in his direction.

It was really just a nice time. I’m glad we made the time and got outside, even if it was crazy cold. Today is no warmer. In fact, it’s colder. We’ll be doing some crafts inside after I finish my work hours but before we run an errand before dinner which is before a (very stressful) dress rehearsal. I share all of that with you as a reminder to myself to approach today in a very deliberate, mindful manner. These are the days that force me to either keep focus or fail miserably.

Here’s hoping!

-
For more Wordless Wednesday, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

BigBrother helped a bit.

LittleBrother mostly fell down in the snow, cried, got picked up, took two steps and fell down again.

And again.

This was the first time we’ve been able to use the Snowman Kit that we got from one of my Grandpa’s friends during the week of his funeral. In the plastic bag came two black circles for the eyes, an orange carrot-type nose, a yellow pipe for the mouth, three brown circles for the buttons and a black scarf to tie around his neck. All pieces but the scarf were handmade. It’s totally awesome. So, once the pieces were in place, I thought FireDad was done and I took a picture of him with his creation.

We went about slipping and sliding and tripping our way through the snow. Then FireDad told me to go look at our snowman. I did. I laughed out loud. Really, I lol-ed in the snow. My awesome husband made me an ANGRY SNOWMAN.

We’ve been talking lots about Calvin & Hobbes for the past few weeks. Even before Grandpa’s sudden death (for which this particular strip is totally appropriate), we had been talking about rebuilding our Calvin & Hobbes library so that the boys have access to what we both feel is the epitome of comic strip awesomeness. And so with the angry snowman in mind, my husband made my day. Or weekend. But we didn’t bring him to life. Promise.

We did some sledding.

We had a snowball fight. Or two. Or three.

And, really, despite the fact that we haven’t left the house since Friday and they cancelled not only soccer but church, we really had a wonderful weekend. I mean, with smiles like this, how could it be anything but good?

I’d be singing a different tune if we had been without power (like my parents and grandmas and some other bloggers I know). I hope everyone was able to be safe and warm this weekend. Let’s hunker down for Round 3, set to begin on Tuesday. (By the way? Despite the cheer of this post, I’m over winter.)

_
[Reminder: My $100 Visa Gift Card giveaway, sponsored by BlogHer and V8 V-Fusion, ends tomorrow. Go enter!]