More Snow . . . again.

Another 3 inches at least today. Dave is getting stir crazy - he really needs to ride his bike again. He's thinking about the 4 (or was that 3) races he's signed up for this year. Can you believe he'd rather train at work (because he can't ride on the ice) than eat a lunch with his kiddos during their winter break? They were pretty disappointed. Oh well.
Today, Adam enjoyed the snow with the neighbors (all three american families on our little block) while Eli rested inside. He wasn't feeling quite well. Adam's snow stuff was very wet when he came in. That's kind of a good sign. It means it's a little warmer when the snow is wet. But, of course, it's always warmer when it snows. It doesn't really snow if it's too cold. I hope he hung his snow stuff up. I didn't check to make sure. One of the disadvantages of having a downstairs entryway. You can't see what's happening to it when the kids come in. Often times I don't see the messes till I answer the door for a visitor. Someday, the kids will remember to come in and make sure everything is in it's right place hanging up and drying nicely (instead of steaming and stinking in a pile) and they will ALL do so and remember to help the neighbor kids find hooks for their coats too. I am sure they are capable of such things without the reminding mother voice always calling after them - sometimes hours later when she sees the disasters left behind. At least the outside door has been shut all the way . . . lately. We're working on shutting the inside entry door too - it stays so00 much warmer when they are both shut tight.
I'm always thankful for the new snow that covers all the old dirty, crusty snow . . .

Winter Break

This is the first winter break we have ever had with snow here in Norway without having to drive somewhere for a few hours to get to it. . . I think. The kids are out of school all week. Their break began perfectly. Saturday and Sunday a few inches of new snow blanketed our already packed and icy snow. Monday and today the sun shone brightly and the kids played outside as much as they could. They even got to go sledding with Dad and a couple extra neighbors last night instead of having an official family night. Ok, so where do we place our values really - need to get better at that. Anyway, they had an absolute blast and didn't even come back in for dinner till nearly 8pm. Today it was snow forts and snow forts and a few snow fort battles. I love the glowing red cheeks on my children when they come indoors from all their fun. Winter is soooo much more fun with snow. And, it's even more fun when you get a whole week of snow without school. WOW. And it really is getting lighter and of course has been lighter with all this snow. Rain is so dark. It's been so nice to have the lighter brighter snow during the wintertime dark instead of the dark, very wet rain. There has been so much more to do outside! I am also enjoying good sun facing windows on this home during the winter season. The sun shines in, brightening and warming all within. It's cozy warm on the inside and beautiful looking out. Perfect. Good night.

It's still here . . .

Winter hasn't left us yet. The fjord is still partially frozen over, my driveway and the neighborhood road is still very icy from the first packed snow we received, my entryway has been taken over by coats and snow gear, hot chocolate is requested every day and we even had new snowfall yesterday - enough for the snowplow tractor to come around again. The temperature has rarely been above freezing, if at all. It is cold. I am AMAZED. Honestly . . . two winters of absolutely no winter (rather lots and lots of rain with maybe a couple days with snow here and there), but this winter? Are we still living in the same place? This is looking and feeling more like Alaska. Last week (or was that two weeks ago), Stavanger broke the record for the longest period of snow on the ground, since they have been keeping record. I think it's been over fifty years since they have had a "real winter" like this. Anyway, we've been amazed by a winter season again and I really should be enjoying every bit of it. Though, I still haven't gone out and got those cross country skis I'd like because I keep thinking that when I do, the snow will be gone . . . but it's still not. Funny how that works. Hope you are enjoying your winter! Later.