Snow Day

Growing up in Alabama, we never got to experience a Snow Day. When we did get snow (which, anyone living in the deep south knows only happens once every 10 years or so…) it was only enough to cover the ground. Maybe an inch if we were really lucky. Snow is just not in the climate down there.

So, when we found out we were moving to Alaska, you can imagine my excitement at the idea of living somewhere that is was not only cold, but somewhere that received a legitimate amount of snow every year.

We got our first “big” snow last week. There wasn’t nearly as much on the ground Friday as there was earlier this year when the mini-Blizzard hit, but there was a good three inches out there. The rain came and washed it away after about 8 hours, but during the time it was on the ground, Kodiak seemed to light up. Kids who weren’t in school (and even the ones who were) could be heard laughing and giggling and squealing in delight at the fluffiness on the ground. Most of the base was off work for Veteran’s Day (the husband included), so we waited for it to stop falling and then headed outside with Noah.

Noah got his first go at snow-sledding/boarding and loved every second of it. You’d think at three years old that he’d be a little freaked out flying down a hill on a snowboard, but he wasn’t. Not even in the slightest. He’d slide down, get up, laugh and then come racing back to the top to try again.

His BFF, “Miss B” was outside with her older brothers and she had to come over to check out the snowman that we built. She seemed pretty impressed, and Noah didn’t hesitate to introduce her to his snowman before going back over to play with the big boys on the hill.

It was just one of those all around really perfect days.

Except for the fact that Little Man is all of a sudden terrified of the Snow Plows (see above photo). Seriously. They freaked him out. Whenever he heard one or saw one…he went ballistic. It was hilarious.

We built up our snowman and played for hours. When we were all tired out, frozen solid and sniffling from the cold and exhaustion, we went inside and enjoy Hot Chocolate and Homemade Peppermint & Coconut Cookies with our neighbors. We played Christmas music (yes, in November…before Thanksgiving) and watched a Christmas movie.

Then, Noah and Josh came home and took a little nap in the recliner.

I took the entire day off work, didn’t answer any emails, and only got on the computer long enough to upload a few photos.

Being away and being in the moment instead, was so much better.

We’re expecting more snow this week.

So I’ll be looking forward to more time away…

More time to play…

More time to just live and enjoy the moments I’m given with my husband and my son.

Have you gotten your first dose of “winter weather” yet? Do you enjoy the snow during the winter, or would you prefer a warmer climate year around?