Southern Snowman

I have lived in the South for almost 25 years now, and only one other time do I remember enough snow to make a decent snowman. That was, of course, the "blizzard of '93", where some areas of Metro Atlanta got more than 10 inches of snow. But today was the day! School got out an hour early, and just when the bus pulled up, it started coming down in earnest.


Here's Sophie on the deck at about 2pm. We still weren't sure it would really amount to anything.

We decided to give the twins a nap, they have both been sick this week, Emily with strep and Michael with a bad cough. He's doing breathing treatments 3 times a day, right after this one he conked out.

Emily upon waking up. What a fussbudget! She did not want to get dressed to go outside, and as usual, wasn't shy about telling me so.

Finally about 5pm we head outside. There's now about 2 inches on the ground and it is still coming down. And no, our kids don't have snow boots, we are poor and have to make do with rain boots. That's life in the South...lol!

Emily perked up a bit once outside, and enjoyed making snow angels and snowballs. Then the work on the snowman began in earnest. Of course, with parents from Ohio and NJ, our kids will learn the right method: make a snowball and roll it to increase it in size. Of course, along with the snow come the pine straw and sweetgum nutballs.

And you get bare patches in your lawn as well. Although as I am writing this, it's after 10pm and they have all filled back in. It just now stopped snowing.

Snowman bottom completed. Helpers take a minute to pose for me.

Michael was very snow hardy today. Last time it snowed, it was much colder, and that was not fun for anyone. The temp today was just at freezing, so much better for a little guy with pj pants on under his sweats. Again, no snowpants down here.

Poor Emily, she is truly my Southern Belle, after about 30 minutes she was quite unhappy. I found her in the garage just crying to go back inside. She was cold, she was wet, and she was done with the snow for the day.

She was much happier watching the action from inside the warm house.

Terry had fun trying to hit the few cars that were out. We had a great snowball fight as well, the snow was perfect for packing.

Here's Sophie with our as yet un-named snowman. Mare, recognize the scarf? And Sophie's hat?

Soon Michael decided to join Emily inside, so Terry got them both in the tub, while Sophie and I took a walk around the neighborhood. I love the stillness and quiet of the snow, and it was neat to walk with her and just enjoy it. Here's one reason why it shuts things down: this is the hill on the main road in our subdivision. To get out you have to go down this, and up another. If the roads freeze tonight, we won't be going anywhere for a few days.

Apres snow and bath and they are much happier being warm and dry. Plus I made breakfast for dinner, which is always a hit.

On her way to bed, Sophie had to check on her giant snowball, which she named Charlotte. Charlotte is spending the night on the front porch.

Snow covered Japanese maple by our front porch.

After the kids were asleep, Terry and I had to go out and do some damage control on the snowman, he was leaning very precariously, so we shored him up and are hopeful he will make it through the night. I love being outside at night in the snow, just so peaceful, quiet and pretty. Very thankful for today!