The most recent sign that Hell is close to freezing over is the 9" of snow that our north Texas-burg received last week. These white flakes were as pure as... well snow. Vancouver wishes it got this pristine powder for their Olympic games. Sorry hosers.There is just something about snow that brings the kid out in people - the whimsical side wants to build a snowman, the mischievous side wants to chuck a snowball into someone's back, and the romantic wants to curl up in a blanket and watch the flurries.
Benjamin, on the cusp of turning 2, couldn't get enough of the stuff. Sadly his parents (or just me) opted to not buy $100 of winter weather gear earlier in the year. "We don't need that, it's not like it's going to snow in Dallas!" I think this was a direct quote. Here's snow in my eye.
So Benjamin has a decent coat, hat, scarf, but only has fabric mittens and a pair of cowboy boots to slosh around in. I didn't help the situation when I dug out my ski jacket and ski boots ready to hit the slopes while Emily is Scotchguarding her fashion over function Ugg® boots and Benjamin is doing a line-dance in his kicker-boots. Gotta pay to play people.
During the big snow day I was actually at work while Emily and Benjamin were playing outside with the neighbors building a snow man. I've never cared for snowmen, mainly because it is really depressing to me to see a snowman on Day 3 of the meltdown. He is discolored, mishapened, and is clearly dying a slow, wet death. "Kids, KIDS! Remember playing with me? I need...your...elp... (drip-drip-drip)... Rosebud..." Poor guy.
The next day was the official no-work, no-school Snow Day! We dressed up the family and headed outside and you wouldn't believe you were in Texas. It could have easily passed for Valley Forge circa 1776; never mind the houses with snow covered satellite dishes.
And it was so bright, like flash grenade bright. I had to squint even with sunglasses on. There were times Benjamin looked like a little blind boy walking in the snow with his eyebrows raised and eyelids shut, like he was trying to use extra sensory perception.
We took a stroll to the park where there were nice patches of untainted, picturesque snow for us to take pictures and taint ourselves. It was beautiful and still and one of the moments that I look forward to remembering with Benjamin in a few years via our pictures. It reminded me of pictures when I was little in Virginia after 2' of snow - where I'm standing in a Hoth-like trench of dug out snow that is as tall as I was. I don't remember the actual instance, but I have fond memories of the pictures.
Benjamin also had the chance to perfect his snowball throwing skills, but they kept rolling off the back of his hand during the wind-up. Now I know why most pitchers choose not to wear 2 pairs of mittens when they play. After about 10 tries and 100 botched pictures, he launched one successfully into the sidewalk, but it was so fast I think it actually evaporated before impact. Nolan, call me, let's talk.
The cutest moment was Emily dropping down to the ground to make a snow angel. Benjamin looked at her and immediately followed suit without any questions or regards. He plopped into the snow and started waving his arms and legs as he giggled. And then, much like the kid in A Christmas Story, he couldn't get back up from all of his layers. Good times.
I look forward to more global warming snowstorms in our city so I can hear Benjamin's excited little voice yell, "sNOo, sNOo, sNOo!!!"
