The First Snow of Winter

Today we woke to this little one running around the house, excitedly announcing the arrival of the first snow. 

These kids live for skiing and winter has become their favorite season. Waking up to that silent sound which can only mean that snow is falling outside, filled these two with such joy, they were happier than 2 kids on Christmas morning. We were up and out, scouring the shed for snow clothes before breakfast was made or schoolwork had been started. 

After having to wait 3 long seasons for their beloved winter to return, the first snow of the year is always too exciting for these two not to celebrate. Whether we put off school so that we can race out first thing in the morning, or wake up the little ones in the night to watch and welcome the first falling snow, or take a late evening walk to feel the first snowflakes on our tongues and noses, each year we find some way to enjoy the first snow of the season. 

When gloves were wet and toes were cold, we came in to make a fire and some warm tea. This is my favorite part of winter; having a warm fire going, with a big mug of some hot, yummy drink, and the smell of something tasty baking in the oven, while we snuggle and read or lay in front of the fire playing board games while watching the snow fall through the windows. 

They started in on their work for the day, in front of the fire, with some warm cider while I sipped my warm tea and caught up on a book that I've been unsuccessfully trying to finish. 

When the work was done, we each went our own ways, involving ourselves in unfinished projects or finding new ones. Lily spent some time designing new mermaid tails for her paper mermaids and then lost herself in a world of mermaids and sea horses, little stories unfolding in her hands. 

Chase spent some time reading a few books on eels and I later found him deeply involved in trying to replicate a beautiful illustration from one of the books he read.

He sat, intently drawing for some time, before becoming frustrated that his drawing was not turning out like the illustration and deciding he would try something "easier" tomorrow. This was unusual for Chase, who usually finishes his drawings with the conclusion that his drawing "is definitely better than the illustration", as he beams with pride. He has never been a "follower" when it comes to art. If you give him a specific art project or give him pictures to copy, he will always come up with something unique, slightly different from what you asked of him. I guess this is true for most things he does, from writing assignments to chores, he always has his own way of doing things. I love that about him. He is a constant reminder that kids need a little freedom in how and what they learn and create and live, instead of being told what to think and make and do. 

Lily is the opposite. Given the opportunity to freely create, she will make her own masterpiece and then focus on copying whatever I've done. She loves to copy everything I draw, make, or build. I remember being like that when I was little; always wanting to copy everything my mom created. It's a different type of creativity than Chase has been gifted with, but they are both artists in their own way. 

The rest of our day was spent on a visit from a friend and collecting snow to place ontop of the fireplace. They are enthralled with this. They can do it for hours on end, experimenting with different amounts of snow, or dropping it from different heights. They love the sound of it, the bubbles of the boiling water, the steam that rises, and that it leaves no trace of ever having been there. 

It was a beautiful, first snow of the winter, warm fire and hot cider kind of day.