Let it snow

Getting out on the roads Christmas Day, it was the strangest thing. I don't have a picture of the volume on the main streets, but driving down the road, I was weaving in and out of cars lodged and abandoned in the snow. There were few drivers out on the road which made for an eery quiet. The thought nagging in my mind was "Where did all these people go?". We must have passed 40 plus cars. They couldn't have all walked home late in the night, could they? It wasn't until we got out of the city and onto the back roads that we thought to get the camera out. There was much less traffic but you can see the drifts on the side of the road that were car door high. This road was wide enough to accommodate two cars but at one point, we entered a plowed path that was just one lane. A half mile in, we were met with four cars coming the other direction. Their car tried to turn and got stuck in a snow bank. John hopped out to help push it free and we were then left with the task of backing out of the slalom path we had just navigated into. I was so tense holding on the steering wheel as we bumped around in the uneven divots littering the packed snow and ice that I found myself sore the next morning. If it wasn't for the 4 wheel drive in the truck, we wouldn't have gone out at all.

Below is the picture of my parent's car that got stuck on Christmas Eve and was shovelled out Christmas Day shortly after this picture was snapped. Fortunately the snow was not near as high as other drifts around the city had been and the snow had melted several inches from the night before but it was just high enough that the tires couldn't spin their way out. Oh how I wish that I had a picture of May. It felt like I was driving in a zombie movie or world ending event. Cars scattered about. Abandoned. These three cars don't do it justice.

From the sky, we received 14 inches. From the plows, many cars received much more. Ones that were just stuck tire deep, like my parents, awoke the next morning to find their car wedged in three feet of snow. Good for those of us driving. Bad for those who'll be shoveling their way free. I stole a few pics from the news site to show what I mean. It doesn't capture zombie-esque, but is does capture attack of the snow plows and the sight of passing mail trucks and even a city bus motionless in the snow.

I am certain that all those dreaming of a white Christmas, didn't dream of this. Probably more like fires and cocoa and carolers in red bonnets and fuzzy gloves. Snow men and sledding and giggles. Not shovels and frame repairs. I guess it rings true. Be careful what you ask for. Even at Christmas, the most magical season of all.

You know it is time for haircuts when...

Nothing beats ponytail wars, while inside, staying warm and out of the blizzard. We were Samurai. And yes, note the sweater vest.

Winter Wonderland

We officially have a White Christmas on our hands. I knew some freezing rain was coming, but wasn't really planning on the blizzard warnings based on the 40mph winds tossing snow about. In fact, as I type, my parents are stuck on the side of the road 2 miles from their house, waiting for my Uncle to come and save them because it would be quite a hike home in calf deep snow. Why are they out? Tina had to work. Apparently animals at the vet still have to eat, even if in zero visibility snow. I am not an animal person, so I'll plead the fifth.

Joshy and Ben have been chomping at the bit all morning, wanting to get out and play in the thickening white blanket covering our lawn. With the wind whipping about, we figured if we bundled them up and took them out they would be begging to come back in. Yes, we are that dumb. They loved it which makes me think that they are not their mother's child. I don't mind snow and I love wind but not wet wind that gives me frostbite. I much prefer the woods and leaves and sun that speckles the ground to slowly losing feeling in my toes. Still, the boys and John had a blast as I stood in the door way, snapping pictures. There were snowballs thrown and laughs traded and tears when they finally had to come inside. I expect much more time out tomorrow when the sun has reemerged to replace the bone chilling wind.

Merry Christmas from three snow covered boys and one sensible, warm girl.

Christmas Program

Joshy's preschool class had their Christmas program this past week. It was rather adorable, them singing Rudolph and We Wish you a Merry Christmas, reindeer hats and Joshy making up motions that I don't believe to be planned. During We Wish you a Merry Christmas, him and the little boy to his right were doing that arm motion you equate with blokes singing in a bar with mug in hand on each We Wish. He had a good time and was so proud of his sweater vest. In fact, he has worn it every moment he can since and is wearing it as I type. I think he slept in it last night. Who knew that all he wanted for Christmas was a sweater vest?

He's the smart guy

John and Joshy were playing swords tonight and I watched them as they rallied back and forth, Joshy being the good guy and then claiming he was the bad guy. Here is how the conversation went:

Joshy: I am the good guy. Fight.
John: Got you. You're dead.
Joshy: Okay, I am the bad guy. Ready. Go.
John: Smack. You're dead.
Joshy: Okay, I am the guy that doesn't die. Go.

That solves that.

O Christmas Tree

The weekend after Thanksgiving, the boys helped John and I set up our new Christmas tree. If you remember from last year, new is because I had yet to buy or own a tree short enough for the house I live in. Somehow, as I look at a 8 ft tree in the store, my mind's eye pictures our ceilings towering far above it while the 6 ft tree is barely taller than me. So it was that we would get home and inevitably celebrate another Christmas with a half assembled tree as the ceilings turned out not to be 10 ft tall and the top section of pre-lit evergreen had to remain in the box. This year I was determined to learn from my mistakes, as all incredibly wise people do, and bought a 6.5ft tree that fits perfectly in our front room. With a red star and a hodgepodge of ornaments ranging from sentimental to "seriously...you are going to put a swan on the tree?", it is perfect and as I told Joshy, our house just feels like Christmas. We even managed to get our stockings hung, though not by the chimney with care, but with $2.99 garland and twist tie bows tied to our rail. After it was done, I just sat down in a chair and stared, my heart so happy to see the tree complete and up well before December 23. Now we just have to figure out where we put that tree skirt...

He is his father's son

Being carried by my room, Ben's greeting of choice? "Hi mama. Love you. Peace out."

(drum roll)

I am pleased to tell you that I have recently become a part of the exclusive group of people known as...Snuggie owners. That is right, I now have my very own, as seen on TV, long sleeve blanket! Oh, we have all mocked it. Laughed at the over exaggerated actors unable to get their hands out of their blanket to answer the phone or save their child from sticking a fork in the socket. We have all thought it looked ridiculous when their relieved faces donned the snuggie while playing backgammon. But, here is what you need to know. Throw their sub par marketing team out the door and picture being cuddled up on the couch watching Stargate Universe freely drinking your diet coke and snacking on your almonds without having any part of you uncovered. It is hands down the coolest thing ever. Plus, you look like a wizard, which is always a plus...

Nothing really matters.....but moi

Meet the boy's new fascination or as they call it, "the mama song". When you get to the red fur and drums, you'll see why. They laugh every time, without fail. It's heartwarming to see the Muppets gift Queen to them as Wayne's World once did to us.

clap clap DE-FENSE

Tonight I had the privilege of going to a Thunder game with some girls from work. Not traditionally the biggest of basketball fans, I have attended two, yes two, games this month and have had a complete blast at both. In fact, after repeatedly answering to who let the dogs out and reminding the players when it was time for defense and when it was time to charge, I am certain that I will barely be able to speak tomorrow. Of course, you have to count in the shameless screaming for t-shirts and frisbees and every time we dunked or stole. I also vaguely remember some verses of we will rock you and bird calls but everything begins to blur when you are inebriated with exhaustion and laughter. For the first of my two games, the half-time show was a single man who was all five Village People and was hilarious. This time around it was Native American dancers and while I am appreciative of the culture shout out, I am pretty sure they just spun in circles for 10 minutes. Not a cumulative circle. Just 8 people stationary in court position…spinning. Of course, it was hard to pay attention when you are continually distracted by the world’s last remaining mullet. It was long, tangled and unwashed; sweeping gently back and forth across his PBR logo with each swig of beer. It was just as a true mullet should be. And let’s not forget to take a moment of silence in honor of the inflatable mascot who suffered a mid-court deflation, head flopping behind as arms and legs scurried off the floor. Or for the man painted completely blue who lost the biggest fan contest to an equally blue fan dressed up as Thor. There is nothing is worse than going smurf in vain. Well, except for being a grown person donning streamers and cat ears. Still, two thumbs up for the Thunder Cat reference, even if I don’t remember them having pompom manes. Thundercats HOOOOO! It was a great night from the tip-off to the funnel cake to the three, count them, three cashiers it took to change out the nacho cheese to the car ride home and the heated debate concerning why running around a car is inherently Chinese. It goes against everything I stand for, but basketball might just have a new fan.

Mozarts in Training

At Thanksgiving I turned around to the sound of mismatched notes and saw the boys just sitting together at the piano, playing away. At the end of the day, these brothers love each other. Just a little less when one has a bigger share of the piano stool...