today's snow
Blizzardy snow all day kept us from going out to lunch with Grandma and Grandpa and cousin Nisia (the draw for Harvey and Zion... I suppose I'd talk to my brother), which was disappointing. But at least the weather gave the boys a chance to use their new Christmas snow shovels, which appeared under the tree this morning, and for Harvey to show off his ability to get all his snow gear on himself. That's important since, come March, he's going to be totally on his own; how else will be able to manage with more kids than parents?! Another sign of snow-related maturity was that, after his friend rubbed a pile of snow into his face, he was able to recover with only a little bit of crying and whining.
Overall, Harvey's cold tolerance is really impressive. This afternoon it was in the single digits with a fierce wind and fine blowing snow and he was more than happy to be outside for over an hour, even after he got snow down his collar and on the inside of his hat's ear flaps. In fact, he spent the last 10-15 minutes of the afternoon's outside time (his second session of the day) sitting on the ground eating snow. I know I've remarked on this before, but I can't help but marvel. He doesn't even seem to be getting much frostbite, the bane (I'm told) of my own snow-eating career at a similar age. Maybe next winter will see him expeditioning in the Alaskan wilderness.
For my part I'm working hard to make sure that I can keep up with him. Despite the blizzard warning hysteria I headed off to the first work day of the new year on the bicycle; with cold temperatures and fine snow I'd rather ride than drive, and the commute today was beautiful. The trip home was kind of slow thanks to three or four inches of snow on the trail, but wonderfully relaxing and pleasant except for comments from walkers. I got two, which is a new development: does that mean that the weather was more extreme than any I've yet cycled in? I can't think so. I think it's just that, when things were even worse, nobody was out walking! I was a little peeved initially, but on reflection I think I'll take "wow... more power to ya, pal" as spoken in the spirit of genuine encouragement and admiration.
We're looking forward to playing in the snow some more when it finally stops falling tomorrow (or Saturday, whatever), and to our rescheduled lunch date too. The regular running of the world is cancelled, so we'll have plenty of time!