FINally, some decent winter weather

The WHOLE point of cold weather, imho, is to make snow.  If there is no snow, then there is absolutely no point in its being cold.  There's nothing to DO outside except stomp your feet and shiver.  Suffice it to say that February was a big disappointment.  Until... last Monday.

ahhhhh... that's better.

It was still cold the next day -- probably in the 20s -- but once you've shoveled about half a mile of sidewalks and driveway you warm up quite nicely.  And because it was so cold, the snow was very dry and powdery -- the easiest for shoveling.  And ideal for sledding!

The kids were in heaven, and stayed outside for about 3 hours.

They are insane.  They covered themselves in frozen water substances when it was below freezing outside.

(They were well supplied with hot chocolate afterwards.)

Then the rest of the week it was cold, cold, cold -- too cold even to play outside.  (I draw the line at the teens, and highs in the single digits are out of the question.) You pretty much ran as quickly as you could from your house to your car when you absolutely had to come out of hibernation.  I really wish we had a working fireplace.

At least the snow stayed for a few days, keeping everything bright and pretty, and since it wasn't really warm enough to melt anything, there wasn't much ice to worry about. (frozen downspouts on the other hand...)  And then yesterday it snowed again!

taken from the warmth and security of inside my house

Three hours after this photo was taken, it turned into freezing rain.  It warmed up enough during the night to make all the roads slushy, but then all the slush froze.  LOVELY driving conditions for Mass this morning.

Sooo... I realize that all you fellow easterners (and Midwesterners) are yawning by now, and all you west-coasters are laughing in your sleeves since you're probably looking forward to yet another balmy, sunny day in paradise.  But I'm just so excited we're having weather! 

Actually, what I'm really excited about is that I can, in good conscience, kick the kids outside for a couple hours at a time and thereby enjoy a brief respite from the typical noise and chaos that is my life these days.  Let's be honest here, folks.

Okay, that and there are few things more cool-looking than twilight on snow.  It is so BLUE.  Pity it's nowhere near full moon -- that is REALLY amazing.

Look out, Capitals!

Jojo is learning to play hockey!

Last fall Mr. Pickles was invited by friends of ours (a very hockey family) to enroll Joseph in a hockey initiation program at the local ice rink.  The kids basically learn to skate with all the equipment on (including mouthguard!).  Thankfully, since our friends are a very hockey family, they had all the equipment in Jojo's size and generously loaned it to us.  (...except the mouthguard.  That one we bought.)

Getting him suited up is much like prepping a warrior for battle.

the loyal squire girds on the armor of the valiant knight

Joseph loved trying on all the equipment.

action shot!

The little brothers got in on the action too.

Mr. Pickles took Joseph to each of the practices, and then on the last day of the program the whole family went to watch.  It was impressive.  Joseph went from barely wanting to move (it's a lot of extra stuff to get used to), to zipping confidently around the rink.

Jojo is in front in green

The kids in Jojo's level were ages 4-10.  I cannot describe to you how adorable the itty bitty ones were in all their gear!  I will totally be the kind of mom who humiliates her sons by telling them how cute they are when they're all geared up for their sports.  I just can't help myself.

At the end of each class, they had a little hockey game to practice their skilz.  Joseph always preferred playing goalie.

Joseph has always shown a gift for athleticism, so it's never been a question of whether he would play sports, but when to start.  He was a little resistant to the program at first, but once he gained confidence he enjoyed it.  Right now he's taking regular ol' skating lessons at the same rink to work on some basic skills -- then perhaps he'll go back to hockey next fall.

Although when pressed, he says he enjoys swimming more.  We'll see how he feels once he can skate backwards and do crossovers. :)