Embracing the WInter

Daphne is at school today, which is a rare occurrence.  They say it might sleet this afternoon, causing early release.  It also might snow again on Thursday.  I started making tally marks.  Yesterday was Snow Day number 10.  I am thinking we still have one or two more to go.  And that's OK.  I am embracing the winter.  Because no matter how much snow we get, it will melt.  It might be a pain, but it will go away.  Everyone on the Facebook has been posting pictures of the beach..."Oh, I wish I was here!" they say.  Not me.  Snow > Sand.  Snow melts.  Sand never ever goes away.  Plus, it's hot at the beach.  I'll take the snow any day.  And as you can see below, we've had a fair amount of it lately.

Our biggest snow happened when Kev was out of town.  We got about 10 inches.  It was on a Saturday, so it didn't affect school or anything.  One of my neighbors came over to help me shovel, which was great because it would have taken me hours to do it by myself.  I actually like shoveling, though, truth be told.  Don't tell Kev.  But I think it's fun.

We've been doing lots of wintry things.  I took the Girl Scouts ice skating one day.  It was a blast.  I was the only adult to skate!  All the other moms sat on the bleachers.  I don't know why.  Skating was so much fun!  Daphne is getting the hang of it, I'm happy to say.  We need to go back soon.  And we definitely need to go back in summer when it's hot outside.

While Kev was gone, we had some Mommy and Daphne style chili. 

There has been a lot of hot chocolate.

And sledding, of course.

There is a hill behind Daphne's school that is pretty good for sledding, so I took Daphne over there after the BIG snow.  After about 15 trips back up the hill, Daphne was exHAUSted.  I wish I had video of the dramatic slow-stomp back to the car.  Can't.  Take.  Another.  Step.  Too.  Tired.  Need.  Food.

After all that, it was a perfect night for chili dogs and the Karate Kid.  Wax on.  Wax off.  That Mister Miyagi.  So wise.

And we've been doing a lot of hunkering down on the couch to read.  This book (Wonder) is one of the best books we've ever read.  I think all kids should have to read it, maybe in 5th grade.  Required reading.  Daphne and I are reading this together, and we are also reading Matilda as a "whole family" book.  We read a chapter at night if there's time before bed.  HILARIOUS book.  The Trunchbull.  Genius.

On one of the recent snow days, we decided to put on our snowpants and trek through the snow down to the diner for breakfast.

And then back home, past the trail:

So pretty.  

But the best BEST thing we have done to embrace the winter is take a little trip up to Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia to stay in a cabin for the weekend.  It was perfect.  

We got to try snowshoeing, which is hard work, but really fun.

And we got to spend a couple hours on the Awesome Sled Run of Awesomeness.  Up the conveyor belt:

Down the hill:

Over and over and over.  The most fun I've had in a long time, and a much needed family activity.

And then, s'mores.

WInter is awesome.  When it was time to leave, Daphne cried.  Big sad crocodile tears.  Here she is. smiling through the sad.  Poor kid.  I felt like crying, too.  I didn't want to leave either.  Cabins in the snow with my family are my favorite.

Daphne was tromping around outside the cabin, and I took a picture of her.  I kept looking at it because it reminded me of something.  Then, I realized what it reminded me of.

Bigfoot. Buddy. Daphne. Yep.

Well, I think we might get one more snow on Thursday, and then I reckon Spring will start battling to make its appearance.  I am looking forward to seeing colors outside besides white and gray, but still.  Winter is good.  So it's OK with me if it wants to hang around a bit longer.