Not Just A Flurry

We have finally gotten a measurable snowfall.  The kids have been waiting for this pretty much their whole lives.  The recurring question the whole time we lived in California was, "When are we going to move somewhere with stairs and snow?"  We got the house with stairs back in April and they have been waiting for the rest of their dream to be fulfilled.  Today was the day!  As they each rolled out of bed this morning it was fun to hear the wonder in each of their voices as they exclaimed, "There is snow on the ground! And it is still snowing!"

Rachel started things off once she was bundled up by heading out on the deck to make a snow angel.  In San Diego we would make sand angels at the beach but Rachel has seen Ruby make snow angels on one of her favorite TV shows and she was eager to give it a try.

We don't have much of a hill in our backyard, but it was enough to test the sleds they got for Christmas.  

Here comes William.  Notice that he was so excited to get out this morning, he is still in his pajamas.  

Sarah gets ready for a run.

Steven "hot dogs" it down the hill on his knees and backwards.

Even I took a run while Sarah took the picture.

William helped to brush the snow off the cars.  He made sure that I knew he was doing it so that I would know that he had done his chore for the day and would not ask him to do another.

All the kids started rolling balls for a snowman, but Lauren and Steven persevered in getting it done.  Rachel came back outside when it was time to decorate it.  She was thrilled that it was just her size. 

Later in the day, the neighbors emerged and about a dozen people had a pretty good snowball fight.  They started out behind the walls of the forts they had made, but soon realized that all the ammunition had been used for the walls.  The forts were quickly dismantled for the greater cause.  Here is Steven turning just in time to catch one in the back instead of the face.

Geral looking a little lost.  She wanted to be outside but wasn't really sure about the cold white stuff.  She wouldn't keep mittens on but got upset if her hands touched the snow.

Geral is much happier when Sarah takes her for a ride on the sled.

She also really liked the snowman and kept pointing to it and talking about it.

A cold, wet Rachel begged for some cookies to eat while she waits for her hot cocoa!

Notice that they are pink and purple, just like her!

We had a lot of fun today.  Outside until we got cold and inside just long enough to warm up.  I spent quite a bit of time clearing the walks.  The second time the kids were sledding in the backyard I decided to shovel off the steps on the deck.  William says to me, "Here we are playing while you are working AGAIN!"  Does that mean that he was willing to help clear the stairs?  Oh no, he had already brushed off the car, remember?

I am really grateful for the snow today.  We needed a fun day of playing hard.  My kids are physically exhausted which is a feeling they don't get often enough.