Winter Solstice

And just like that, it's really Winter.  

School cancelled = sledding!

Snow Day!  (I write this with an exclamation point in an attempt to not have my disdain for the cold & snow rub off on my kids.  What I really want to say is, "Winter.  Ugh.")  We're in the depth of the Winter Solstice - marking the sun being as far away from us as it gets, and my heart is weeping.  Please come back, sunshine!!!

This snow "angel" ain't fooling' no one

We've had some sleds packed away as Christmas gifts, but one found its way to our kids last week when the first snowflakes fell.  Well, with the arrival of the first significant snowfall, the 2nd sled managed to magically appear as soon as Daddy came home from work.  2 sleds are still left in hiding.  We'll see if the manage to stay hidden for another week...

Daddy delivers the 2nd sled and sledding commences:

Before calling it a night, we decided to help the boys make their very first snowman.  Maks was quick to learn how to roll the snow together into a ball.  He also thought it was a great idea to send the snowballs down the hill so that they could accumulate a lot more snow (with minimal manpower).  What he didn't take into account was how he was going to retrieve those snowballs once they stopped rolling at the bottom of the hill!

Snowman building by moonlight.

First snowman! (Tomorrow we'll finish the face/hat/scarf.  I was unprepared!)

Deklan was especially affectionate towards the snowman, who he lovingly named Olaf:

"I love you, Olaf.  I'm gonna give you a hug."  

Now, each day when we take Maks to school, Deklan waves goodbye to Olaf as we pull out of our driveway.

The following evening, I had an appointment and left the boys at home with Daddy for 2 hours.  What happened?  Operation Daddy-sends-the-4-year-old-sledding-face-first-down-a-wooded-ravine.

Operation Daddy-sends-the-4-year-old-sledding-face-first-down-a-wooded-ravine.  

Bryon stood half way down the hill next to a big pile of boulders, which Maks did a good job of dodging.  The trees further down the hill?  Whoops!

Perfect timing, as Maks' Winter Solstice celebration/program for his school was the very next day!  He handled the crash and burn like a champ, though.  He now proudly strokes his hair behind his ear and shows his battle wound to everybody he sees.  I've also heard him tell the story of how it happened...which has grown to include running into six trees.  He claims "the next time, I'm going to do a better job of being a human bowling ball and actually knock the trees down!"  We're banking on a little more practice with steering (he did have lessons on steering prior to the big event) and additional lessons on learning when it's time to bail!  Bail, Dude!  Bail!

(Opening song for the HMS Winter Solstice 2016)