It feels like we've been waiting since November (the adults in trepidation, the kids in anticipation) for a really big dumping of snow. Shockingly, this year it just never came. I've never seen a winter season in Minnesota like the one we've had this year. Warmer temps (in the upper 30s) and grass all through the winter months. The rare dusting of snow we received would quickly melt and, more often than not, we got rained on. It has been like April in January! That is until yesterday morning. We woke up to a winter wonderland the likes of which we haven't seen since last winter. I think, all told, we got around 7 inches of snow. The best part is that it's already March so this dumping will quickly be gone. Something about knowing that it wouldn't sit here for months and spring was still around the corner made it easier to get out and enjoy it. Even the MN snow plows couldn't keep up with it so the roads were really bad. After getting stuck 3 times before even making it out of our neighborhood Jim turned around and came home. Even our school district declared it a snow day and called off school. That NEVER happens up here.
It seems like we managed to pack in a winter's worth of snow fun in one day. With the help of all our neighborhood friends we had snowball fights, built a snowman, constructed a snow fort, perfected a sled run and played snow football and baseball. Even Calvin was a trooper and stayed outside for over 2 hours yesterday morning then went back out again in the afternoon. I'm pretty sure he ate his weight in snow.
Here are the pictures of our fun day!
We've recently started potty training with Calvin. The motivation for him, besides M&Ms, was getting to go to "baby school" (preschool) in the fall. He loves carrying around his "pack pack" (which is filled with underwear and extra pants at the moment) and pretending he's on his way to school. Notice he's wearing my shoes...
A week ago my Grandma Fondren, Mee Maw to the boys, passed away. Ironically, it happened the morning that I was headed home to see her and I ended up missing her by about half an hour. She had been diagnosed with cancer last spring but had been feeling really well the past 6 weeks. Her death was quick and peaceful which was a blessing for her and for all of us who loved her. As sad as I was to not have seen her once more before she died I'm glad I was able to be there for my mom and my grandpa, who would have celebrated his 59th wedding anniversary with her next month. I know she knew I was on my way and I know I'll see her again and that's a tremendous comfort.
Grandma with Tyler
Me and Grandpa after the funeral
Jessica (my sister), my mom and me
Jessica and her husband, Alan
Back in early February Calvin graduated into a big boy bed. The change wasn't too radical since he'd been climbing out of his crib for a while but I did get a little teary taking down the crib and removing the rocking chair. We still have some painting and decorating to do but here are some pictures of his new set up and of Calvin on his first night in his new bed.
It feels like we've been waiting since November (the adults in trepidation, the kids in anticipation) for a really big dumping of snow. Shockingly, this year it just never came. I've never seen a winter season in Minnesota like the one we've had this year. Warmer temps (in the upper 30s) and grass all through the winter months. The rare dusting of snow we received would quickly melt and, more often than not, we got rained on. It has been like April in January! That is until yesterday morning. We woke up to a winter wonderland the likes of which we haven't seen since last winter. I think, all told, we got around 7 inches of snow. The best part is that it's already March so this dumping will quickly be gone. Something about knowing that it wouldn't sit here for months and spring was still around the corner made it easier to get out and enjoy it. Even the MN snow plows couldn't keep up with it so the roads were really bad. After getting stuck 3 times before even making it out of our neighborhood Jim turned around and came home. Even our school district declared it a snow day and called off school. That NEVER happens up here.
