Snowed in

This time last year we were snowed in. We live down a lane, down a hill. It's almost impossible to get the car out to the main road. After almost a month I was going stir crazy.

On Friday it snowed again.

A lot.

I hate that we get snowed in. I hate even more when we can get the car out and the roads are icy. Even though I pretty much hate the effects of the snow, I still watch it fall with child-like wide-eyed wonder. I'm excited by it. It's beautiful. If I wake up in the middle of the night I peek out of the curtains to see how much we've had.

The boys love it!

There's only so much time you can spend outside in the snow before you get too cold, although we've done our best.

Our snow is weird this year, it's a fine powder and not great for building snowmen.

It's deep enough to go over the top of little wellies.

And to coat woollen mittens.

So we came indoors to paint. I made the mistake of answering my phone and moving into the kitchen to chat in peace. This is what I came back to.

Andy took pity on me and bought back a packet cake mix from the local shops to entertain us.

This is what the cakes are supposed to like like.

There are Presley's.

There are Cash's.

I think they're wonderful AND they were edible.

I'll have to find some more activities for tomorrow or maybe we'll just snuggle up in front of the television.

It is nearly Christmas after all.


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Snowed in

Generosity

This is a photograph of Cash's first steps outside - in the snow.

He took his first steps indoors in November, but it was only a few weeks ago he realised he could walk in preference to crawling. So we hadn't taken him outside and by the time we wanted to the big freeze had taken hold.

I blogged about being stuck in the house and not being able to take Cash out in the snow in case he fell over or crawled. One generous reader offered to send me a snowsuit her son had grown out of. I emailed her my address and she went out in the snow to post it to me. The minute it arrived we all went out to play in the garden!

Fresh air! Hurrah!

So I really want to thank Mum at The Mad House. You are a kind and generous person.

In case you haven't heard of it, The Mad House is a rather brilliant blog. It just gets better and better. It is also newly listed on the Tots100 this month - well done!

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Speaking of generosity...

We live behind a primary school. It has been closed all week. Last night we heard scraping noises coming from the school.

We looked out of our bedroom window and saw half the town hacking away at the ice on the car park and footpaths. This was either an awesome display of community spirit, or desperate parents with bored children under their feet.

Either way the school is open today.

Generosity

Stir Crazy

I've been practically housebound for over a week.

We've been snowed in or iced in for eight long days.

I hadn't realised how much I need to be outdoors. I usually take the boys out for a walk most week days. We need that fresh air, we need activity. Even if all we do is walk to the local shop for a loaf of bread I feel better for it. The boys get a change of scenery and they may even get to woof at a passing dog or point at a bus.

This week has been different. Apart from a treacherous drive to the in-laws on Christmas Day, I haven't left the house. I was going stir crazy being stuck indoors.

On Boxing Day the snow had started to thaw, but before it had chance to melt away night fell and it froze. As I've explained before, we live at the end of a lane, at the end of a cul-de-sac, at the end of an estate, ON A HILL! Andy popped out yesterday and the paths and roads may as well have been a skating rink. He's pretty steady on his feet, but couldn't keep upright.

Yes, snow is pretty. I get a whoosh of excitement whenever I open the curtains in the morning and see that it has snowed. Snow is fun - until you need to drive anywhere.

Andy made this sinister looking snowman:

Also, Presley played in the snow for the first time:

He loved it, but came in screaming when his hands went numb! Poor little fella. I had to cuddle him until he had warmed up. It didn't stop him going out the next day though.

Poor Cash had to stay indoors as he doesn't have a snow suit and stills crawls quite a bit. I stood at the window with him watching his Dad have a rather one-sided snowball fight with his big brother!

I satisfied some of my need for connection with the outside world by shopping online yesterday. I trawled the sales at John Lewis, Debenhams and M&S. I managed to find a few bargains!

Today I had decided enough was enough. I was going to go out!

There is more snow forecast for tomorrow, so I had to take my chances today. Luckily the ice was patchy enough for the car to get a grip on the road.

I went to the Next sale and bought the boys two bags full of clothes and bits and pieces for £30.

Then I had lunch out. Sainsbury's Cafe, ham, egg and chips. I know. LIVING THE DREAM!!!

I jostled with everyone else who had decided to go shopping today. I was disappointed with the sale items, but you can't argue with £5 for a tin of Roses. It would have been rude to walk past the display and not re-stock our chocolate stash.

I then had the pleasure of sliding home and putting the shopping away.

I do feel better for going out, even if it was just food shopping!

Stir Crazy