More Snow...and Then Some More

After the mega snow storm that hit the east coast in December (about 24 inches), we assumed that we were pretty much done with snow for this season, as the Mid Atlantic typically only gets one or two snow falls a year - and usually only one big storm every few years. Well, it turns out that Old Man Winter was not quite done with us! Last weekend we were hit with yet another mega snow storm (dumping about 28 inches) and then just a few days later a third huge storm (more than 15 inches) hit us too. Our School District barely ever cancels school, but the 3-4 feet of snow and ice that piled up in a matter of days practically sent the entire City into shutdown mode and our school was closed for almost the whole week.

The upside to all this snow craziness is that Marty and I have had a "bonus" vacation - being home with the kids for more than a week straight! We have all certainly had our moments of getting stir crazy in the house, but for the most part we've really made the best out of this situation and have had a blast spending all this time together. Inside, we've been having lots of dance parties, and we've been coloring, playing games, cooking and singing morning, noon and night. We've spent a fair amount of time outside too - even venturing out during both of the blizzards because we just needed to get out and get some fresh air (and both times it was snowing for more than 24 hours straight)! We have gotten the bundling up process down to a science these days (though it still takes at least 20 minutes to get all 4 of us properly suited up) and we've spent lots of time every day going for walks, building snowmen, building tunnels, and of course sledding.
Elise and our neighbor Myles
Elise and Marty have been having a particularly great time outside in the snow (Lucas and I can only hang in outside for about 30-45 minutes before we're too cold to enjoy it). They have gone sledding once or twice every day since last Saturday - they developed quite a great track down a pretty big hill in a field near our house. They meet up with the group of "regulars" there almost every day and are having awesome community fun. I even sent Lucas down this hill in the sled with Ellie - but that turned out to be a better idea in theory than in practice. He didn't cry exactly, but definitely acted traumatized for the rest of the afternoon. It is a really big hill...

I don't think the kids will get the chance to experience snow like this again for a very, very long time (we hope!!) so we are trying our best to enjoy it and keep the complaining about all the shoveling, terrible roads, gutter damage and extra laundry to a minimum!

I have been going a little crazy with the picture taking in the snow...so enjoy!