winter

I never hated winter until I had kids. Boots, mittens (two of them) , hats, coats, slush, ice. I should just tie everything together. Tie the hat to the coat and the mittens to the coat. I doubt I could tie the boots. I never tie anything though. As much as I hate keeping track of everything, I don't want the kids to feel all tied up. Winter will get better with the ages of the kids I suspect. Experience and memory will teach them winter smarts. Last week as Kassy was stepping outside I pointed at the ice on the front step and said, " See the ice?" "Un-huh" "Hold on to my hand and be careful, ok?" I bent down to finish putting on my boots, she doesn't wait for me, steps on the ice and immediately falls down and starts screaming. I think Kassy has one of the loudest screams ever. If she was ever terrified, I wouldn't know, because her screams and cries are so loud all the time. A paper cut scream sound sounds the same as a real live monster in my room scream.

Sometimes the girls play in the snow, but only with a little nudging. Kassy is small and sometimes gets snow in her boots or down her mittens. Cold yes. Red fingers. yes. She could come in, ask for help, but no she screams and won't stop, not until five minutes after removing all offending articles. And then there are mittens. I always lost them as a kid, I often lose them as an adult and to keep track of all three of our mittens! Thank goodness for well organized and watchful Kindergarten teachers. One year I bought Hadley two pairs of the same mittens, thinking that when one got lost, I would still have a pair. Brilliant. Now I have two left handed mittens and no pair! There are days when we have no place to go and are cozy inside that the inches of white on the trees and the grass feel peaceful and pleasant. All sounds are muted. I love it, until we have to go somewhere again.