Snow Much Fun {Once There Was a Snowman}

The snow keeps coming and we keep playing!  After yesterday's storm, the blue sky peeked out for a bit this afternoon, and the snow was in prime packing condition.  It was time to build our first snowman of the year (of ever, if I think about it).  It was Callie's idea to add sticks to its head for hair.  And not only did we hit that first snowman milestone, it must be noted that Sam joined us on the snow of his own accord - and loved it!  I think he was really interested in checking out that new guy who showed up in our yard up close and personal.  Frosty was pretty amusing to a 16-month-old.

Cal needed to take some pictures herself - maybe someday I'll
upload them here, too.

Cheesy McCheeser and his little pal, Snowy.

Definitely turned a corner in winter-loving
today!

Snow Much Fun {Snowflake Science}

We've been reading some fun nonfiction mixed in with our regular stories lately.  This month it's been a lot about snow (because it's been doing a lot of that outside!).  Snowflake Bentley has caught our attention.  He was a farmer-scientist (whose parents spent all their savings to buy him his microscope-camera!) who photographed thousands (maybe millions) of snowflakes for others to enjoy and learn about.  It wasn't a popular choice (a lot of people thought it was crazy) but he was able to produce some really amazing images of these crystals that are just fascinating to me and Cal.  So after learning about him, and reading another snow crystal book that issued a challenge to observe the snowflakes next time it snows, Cal decided that's just what we should do.  

January 19th was a snowy day, and after lunch we bundled up in our snow clothes, grabbed Cal's new magnifying glass and microscope (from Grandpa and Grandma Elwood for Christmas), plus her new digital camera (from Mom and Dad for Christmas) and my phone, and a black sheet of construction paper, and we headed out to the storm.  Callie was amazed that she could see the details of the snowflakes with her own eyes just as we had seen them in the photos in the books.  "They're real snowflakes!" she said.  I was just as mesmerized.  

She's an artist and a scientist.

And Sam?  Well, he just stood there, rooted to his spot near the door.  But at least he was smiling today.

Snow Much Fun {Family Snowshoeing}

January 14th was a bright blue-bird day and we were itching to get outside in the snow and sunshine.  We decided a little family snowshoe hike was in order, so we packed up the stuff and drove three minutes to the church parking lot.  (Exciting, yes?)  Across the street from the church is a bike path and just a ways down from the bike path is a trailhead that leads to the lake.  And that was our desitnation: frozen Pineview Reservoir.  We brought Cal's red sled along for her and Sam to ride in, but it turns out that Sam is NOT a fan of the sled.  Especially if it's moving.  So, he ended up on either Gregg's or my shoulders for most of the trip.  Callie was excited to bring along her new backpack (she got it for Christmas) filled with hiking essentials: tissues, a magnifying glass, a water bottle and some cookies.  She had a great time observing various plants sticking out of the snow with her magnifying glass and we all enjoyed snacking on the cookies as we walked back to the car.  (The only time Sam was on the sled but not crying is when he had some cookie in his mouth.)  Just another reason we love Eden: awesome spots to adventure that are so close to home.

He's getting used to this whole snowsuit thing.

If you zoom in, you'll see the screaming Sammy.

Still screaming (because his bite of cookie is gone).