This year, winter came late, and we were blessed with a long, warm fall. But, as November rolled around, I found myself antsy for the snow. The clocks rolled back, leaving us with short days, and long, dark evenings without much to do. I’ve been waiting for snow so the ski hills can open, giving us an outdoor evening activity. I also longed for snow to break up the monotony of the dull, dry days.
And finally the snow came!
We got our first snow on Sunday, and initially, Addie was not impressed. She’s been consistent in her thoughts about winter over the years.
However, Monday night we got a huge snowfall and the inches of fresh powder proved alluring. With the roads covered in black ice, my work ended up cancelled for the day, and so on Tuesday we were able to spend a family fun day playing in the snow in the yard.
First, Addie tested out her new snowboard. We’d pulled her around the living room on it, but this was her first time riding on snow. Her interest didn’t last long, as the thick powder weighed down the board, but for the little while she participated, she had a great time, shouting “more faster!” as I pulled her around the yard. The ski hills open this weekend, and I can’t wait to really try her on her skis and snowboard.
Afterward, we took Addie for a sled ride to the mailbox, and she was enthralled to see all the neighbours out plowing their driveways. One neighbour had a plow attachment for his quad, and his black lab raced behind him as he plowed his drive. Addie found the scene hilarious. “A dog is chasing a tractor!” she proclaimed over and over with delight.
In the afternoon, once Addie gained some confidence walking through the white stuff that now covered our yard, she delighted in flopping down into the snow, having me cover her with it, and, of course, tasting it. She thought it was hilarious that she could eat the snow.
By the time we came inside, our fingers were cold but our hearts were warm. We had some dinner, and then baked chocolate chip cookies to eat while watching Frozen together.
It was the type of day that would have slipped right through my fingers before Addie, but when I went to sleep, I did so reluctantly, not wanting our magical first snow day of the year to end.