The Joy of the First Snowfall

Look what we woke to this morning!  Before I even looked out the window I heard Clara declare from the other room "this is the most exciting day ever"!  She then ran into my bedroom and with excitement asked "is it winter? is the baby coming today"?  I explained that winter lasts for weeks and there will be several more weeks of winter weather before the baby is ready to arrive.  

The kids gobbled down breakfast and Peter had most his school work completed at 7:30 while Paul scrambled to find the winter boots and winter clothes bins from the barn.  The kids sifted quickly through them.  Maryanna refused to wear her brother's old black boots and Henry refused to pass his small blue boots onto George, so I let it be.  They change their minds soon enough, you can only play so long in the  snow in too tight of boots.

George never likes getting dressed, nor do I like getting kicked in the face or belly in the attempt to do so.  He found his own hat and stood at the door mad that I wouldn't let him out in just a diaper.

But a little singing, and a little toe and tummy tickling usually convinces him.  I was already to head out and surprised how comfortably I could wear my snow pants unzipped with just a sweater and a vest.  Extra body heat is what I love most about a winter pregnancy.

William dug right in as he usually does.

While the other boys were preparing for battle.

They got good use out of the snowball makers and snowbrick molds a friend gave to us last week.  The battling lasted for almost 2 hours and ended with Maryanna running inside crying about getting hit in the face with a very nicely packed snowball.

She is a brave little girl to join in such a battle with her brothers.  

Aside from the excitement of the snow we were all a little bit sad to lose a few large limbs off the willow tree.  We also realized the added complication snow will add to caring for our animals.   

As for the mess of snow gear, I'm really glad we got the lockers up when we did but also realized I needed a solution for all the hats and mittens.  I went right to work on sewing these hanger bags for each child to hang in their locker.

Looks like they may work, and it looks like it will be a beautiful and fun filled winter out here in the country.