Snow Days for the Olsons

On Sunday as I sat on the bleachers at the local pool and watched the kids in their diving class, I heard a mom down the bench say it was snowing outside. Wha??? Apparently, I had been out of the weather loop because I had no clue that snow was even a possibility.

As it turned out, it was a major possibility that wound up giving the kids two days off from school this week. The extra days off from school were filled with snowman making, snowball fights, snow angels, and some much-needed relaxation for the kids. They kicked back and enjoyed a slower pace for a bit, which was appreciated considering the break neck speed life has been traveling for the past few weeks.

Eric and Conor watching the snow fall

Winter gear, schminter gear.... who needs boots and a coat when you have a hat and PJs??

Pretty backyard trees

Showing off our snow accumulation

Happy snow boy

Annika putting a bit of a scientific spin on the snowfall

The scientist and her assistant

Snowballs are about to fly

Snow angel

Even Buca got in on the snow fun

Snowball fight

Our pretty front yard tree covered in snow

Hey Buca, you have a little something on your nose

White Stuff

We Seattle residents tend to be very skeptical when the weather forecasters predict snow for our area. We've been burned too many times to have much faith in the fluffy white stuff actually visiting our neck of the woods.

When we were at Eric's parents' house for Thanksgiving (that blog post is still pending... sorry for the delay), we heard that we might get snow. Naturally, Annika and Conor were thrilled about the news. Eric and I tried as much as we could to let the kids down easy and explain that it is very hard to predict the weather for our area because of so many factors... two mountain ranges, nearby saltwater, wind from Canada and the Pacific, convergence zones galore, etc. Of course, we didn't want to crush their childhood optimism (we'll let the weatherman do that), but wanted to warn them as kindly as possible that the reality was snow probably wouldn't happen.

OF COURSE, Mother Nature had to prove to our children that their parents have no clue what they're talking about.

Saturday morning, we awoke to a lovely blanket of the predicted snow, and the kiddos could hardly wait to get out into it. Understanding the pattern of quick snow, quick melt that we often have, we understood their excitement and didn't do much of "not quite now" dissuading. We did, however, (being the cruel parents that we are) require them to get out of their PJs and put on proper snow attire before going out to play. (I know, we are jerks through and through.) ;)

The snow was really dry... not at all good for snowballs, but that didn't stop the kids from having a marvelous time throwing it at each other, making snow angels, eating it (much to their mother's chagrin), and running around like the crazy people they are known to be. Shockingly, our cold snap lasted a few days and we still have a few spots of snow on roofs and in shadowy patches of yards around the neighborhood. Not enough to play in, but enough to make things look pretty.

How does the snow taste, Conor?

Why do we bother buying groceries? Our kids obviously prefer eating snow!

Conor making it snow

Snow angels

Annika making it snow

Gotcha!

Mr. Peek-a-boo

Annika throwing a snowball at me

Mid-February Snow Day

Earlier this month, we had a little bit of a weekend surprise: Snow!

By the time February rolls around, our area's chances of getting any more snow usually drops considerably. Knowing that the temperature was expected to rise fairly quickly during the day, I knew time was of the essence if we wanted to get any play time in the snow. So, the kids and I quickly donned our snow gear and headed outside.

We had a marvelous time and wound up playing on three of the four sides of our house! The kids started on the deck (while I put on my snow gear) and then we moved to the front yard. After awhile, Annika and Conor decided to go on an adventure ... aka, the south part of our yard. We threw snowballs, made snow angels, and watched our footprints create patterns all over the yard.

Their imaginations went wild as they played. I loved eavesdropping on them as they built their imaginary world with various plot lines and characters.

After an hour or so, we were quite numb, so called it a day. About an hour after that, the snow started to melt ... making way for the first few signs of spring.

Snow on our lilac tree's branches

Conor taking aim

Snow fun

I adore this photo of little Miss Annika!!

The cutest little snowball maker around! (OK, he's tied with his sister!)

Say "cheese!!"
"Mama - it's too bright!!!"
"OK, just close your eye and then open them when I count to three. 1 - 2 - 3"
(Click)
"Uhh... Conor? You forgot to open."
"No I didn't Too bright!"

Conor eating a snow ball off of the house. (Good thing we vaccinate our children!!)

More snowy branches