Winter Wonderland

Remember that note that December was off to a wintry start? We had no idea. The past 3 days have transformed the Cleveland Area into a true wonderland of white. Trees and roofs and streetcorners mounded with white. The world glowing incandescent, streetlights reflected to the all-white sky.
And it is a good thing it is so stunning considering the drive home I had this evening. Perfect winter wonderlands can mean slippery slow-going roads, that's for sure. 1 hour and 30 minutes into my usually 30 minute drive home, I was stuck with an intense appreciation for the fact that I don't have to drive that long, or get home that late, every night. After arriving home to two whiny children, my own nerves frayed from fishtailing my way home, I decided we'd best embrace the weather and bundled both kids up for a foray into the dark, snowy yard. It was magic out there. Hushed and soft with the whoosh of slower-than-normal cars going by. Jack enthusiastically shoveled snow onto Corydon's back ("She LOVES snow on her back, mommy!" and Ivy was content as a little plum the whole time we were out, snowflakes catching in her eyelashes and hair.

We lasted about 5 minutes before Jack declared himself ready to go inside and watch videos (his favorite thing in the world these days, particularly Hot Wheels videos on the computer). We had hot chocolate on the floor of the kitchen together, Jack still in his snowpants. What a lovely time of year this is.