California Dreamin'

I was happy to see that Columbus made #8 on Forbes list of worst winter weather cities in America. Not happy because I enjoy living in a place with terrible winter weather, but happy to have my complaints validated. Ohio winters are miserable. I feel especially inclined to complain today in the midst of our second major storm in less than one week time.

It's not so much the snowfall that landed Columbus on the list. It's the bitter, icy cold that pierces clear through to the bone. My crazy friend Abbey has talked me into exercising with her early every morning...sunshine or snow. Only it's never sunshine. It's way too dark at the insane hours we're out and about. I've somehow adapted and if it's above 15 I don't even wear a coat. But other mornings are a testament to why Columbus is #8 and make me so grateful we're not #1 (which is Cleveland, by the way). Yesterday morning welcomed me with a thick frozen mist like needles all over my skin. GOOD MORNING!

We've managed to make the best of the storms.

We turned our snowman into a pirate. Friday had such good packing snow, we had to build a snow castle, too. Mr. Stone (the older gentleman who lives next store) likes to give me a hard time. He thinks I secretly build snowmen for myself...not so much for the kids. Is it that obvious? I lived a snowman-less childhood. I feel I have to make up for it now.

The snow is much, much, much, much deeper now.

We took the crazies sledding and had the time of our lives. The older two boys are old enough this winter to go down by themselves and they can walk back up the hill dragging the sled all on their own. Such an improvement from last time we took them sledding like three years ago. It's WAY more fun this way. I've been dying to go again.

I didn't bring my camera because who really wants to be carrying a camera while sledding? Not me. A friendly stranger who was sledding with her kids offered to take a picture and email it to me. I politely declined. The reality is, I haven't bought new snow clothes...ever. I look as though I'm about to go skiing in the 90's. I'm not blasting those images over the web.

We have spent a lot of time playing with Photo Booth on our iMac. My narcissistic children can spend hours taking pictures of themselves. (Don't know where they get that one.)

After a too much time stuck indoors, we took things to the next level. Costumes. Made Photo Booth even more fun.

Pandora is on all the time.

And we made super cute sugar cookies to deliver to the neighbors. I wish I had a picture. Not only were the cookies cute, but I packaged them cute. I was pleased with myself. And it's always nice to see the neighbors. We have elderly neighbors on both sides. We don't see much of them in the winter months.

Parker's crazy school district did NOT cancel school today despite the sheets of snow falling from the sky. Why is that? I'm pretty sure every other district in the county cancelled today. So I'm off to dig out my SUV and brave the storm to bring Parker home from school.

Send me some warm wishes.