March 28th-Our BIIIIIGGG Snow Day (please note the sarcasm)

First, let me say that, prior to yesterday, we had not had a single snowfall all year. Every previous year, we've had at least 3 or 4, but this year, from my memory, we've had one ice storm, one ice day, and a couple bouts of sleet/freezing rain. And although the latter sort of looks like snow, when you pick it up, it's just a bunch of ice grains in your hand, much like sand, and it's not something you can make into snowballs. So, it's been a rather depressing year snow-wise, and for the entire month of January, Reid insisted that Christmas was not over yet because it still hadn't snowed. And so, winter came and went without a flake. Enter into Spring, March 28th to be exact, and we finally had a forecast of snow. The weathermen said a big huge winter storm was coming our way. A few days out, they started predicting 1-3 inches for our area, and saying that we were in the "possible track" of the storm. Then a day or so ahead of the storm, it took a turn and we were now in the the "likely track" of the snow, and our forecast was upped to 4-6 inches, and even on the edge of the 10-inch area! So exciting!!! We prepared to be snowed in for a day, bought a snow shovel (looking back, I'm not sure why as even a 6-inch snow wouldn't necessitate that, but we just got caught up in the excitement I guess), and started scoping around the house for make-shift sleds. So, Friday night came, and the snow didn't come as quickly or fiercely as predicted, but we dismissed it and went to bed, knowing for sure that we would awake to a winter wonderland the next morning. Well, imagine our disappointment when we woke that next morning, and there was nowhere near our promised 6 inches on the ground. It turns out, the stinkin' storm got near the city and just started circling around us, like a big hurricane! And we were right in the "eye"! We ended up with only about an inch-and-a-half, and it melted anywhere it touched the bare ground. On the grass (and any other raised surface), it was okay, but on the dead spots in the yard, it left us with a dead spot of snow too. Fortunately, the kids were thrilled with what we got and pestered us to go outside as soon as they were done with their breakfast. After getting them super-bundled--to the extent that Reid was asking to go outside just so he could cool off and stop sweating--we headed outdoors for our snowball fight. The snow, weak though it was, was perfect snowball snow.

I love how Reid has learned to hide in the distance while he builds a mound of snowball ammunition. And how Blair, without a single hypothermic care, immediately dropped to all fours and trudged through the snow meowing like a kitty cat. And how Jeremy turns into a big kid right alongside Reid, firing snowballs at him with full force, while Reid just laughs and plays right along (whereas I whine like a baby if I get hit).

It's especially funny when you see remenants of a direct hit to someone's forehead. Even Sloane had one of those on this day! (For her first experience with snow, she surprisingly didn't mind being hit with it, but us putting her on the ground and making a snow angel out of her was completely inexcusable in her mind!) And this snowfall has confirmed once again that I (as well as Kristy, I've discovered) am a horrible hit--I can't hit someone standing 5 feet away from me, so it takes most of the fun out of the snowball FIGHT when you are incapable of FIGHTING back. But according to Blair, a nice cup of hot cocoa takes care of all those inadequacies. :) After naps, we made it outside once more to enjoy what was left of the rapidly-melting snow, throwing a few more snowballs and using the wagon as a sled. We ultimately ended up playing baseball, as most outdoor days end up. Even Blair stood there with socks on hands, bat over her shoulder, and announcing in her little voice, "So close!" every time she didn't hit the ball. Kids are so cute when they're all bundled up from head to toe with just their little faces sticking out. I love it. But, anyway, it ended up being a great day, and we are hopeful that the next snow day will come again soon (meaning, sometime next winter like it's supposed to!)