It's cold in Kansas! And staying that way for a while, it looks like.
The newspaper says we got 12", but it seemed like a lot more at our house. These photos were near the beginning of the storm, another forty or fifty feet (or so it feels) fell throughout the day.
When my husband bought this toy tool, to haul firewood, I thought it was a bit extravagant and it would be cheaper to just buy wood. But after seeing it keep our driveway cleared, I kind of love it myself.
I suggested we name her Ally Gator (she is a John Deere Gator), Sugarwings said she liked Emily better. So, Emily Gator, it is.
My husband would rather have a more macho name for his machine, but I sure get a kick out of calling it Emily.
While I was in Indy for my neice's birthday, Sugarwings met a new friend at the shoe store and her Pop Pop invited her over for a play date. School was cancelled due to the blizzard, and our little one was heart broken that she wasn't going to see her new pal due to bad weather.
So, after Emily plowed out the drive, my husband got out the big old truck and drove through the snow to pick up the whole family to come over to play in the snow.
There were plenty of giggles and fun, it was worth getting out to go and get them. No matter what my worries were about the whole situation. First of all, I had no idea what this family, met in the shoe store was like. And what if they got here but couldn't get out again? Were we going to be snowed in for days with the shoe store people??? What would I talk to them about while the girls played? (I'm a notoriously bad small talker)
But they were really, really nice people, and even if they weren't, Sugarwings was so excited to have a friend come over, that we would have welcomed ogres if necessary. She even cleaned her room. And fretted over which pretty tea cups to set out for a cocoa party after sledding. I let her count the forks, get out the plates, chose the table cloths, and plan the whole party.
And I tell you, when you are snowed in with a bundle of energy like Sugarwings, it takes a lot of activities and planning to get through the days! I was happy that she had such a good time planning her party and then looking out the window for her friend to arrive.
And my worries about what the heck I'd do with the parents while the girls played left as soon as I spoke to them. We chatted away for a couple of hours while the kids had a giggle fest blast. These two girls were like two peas in a pod.
Even their names matched, Lee Lee and La La. Cute!
Sometimes, you just need to get out of your comfort zone, bundle up and do something different, huh?
I’m snowed in today–a huge tree was uprooted and fell across our driveway. Wish we had Emily Gator nearby. I’ve gotten so much inspiration from your Grand-Mothering of Sugarwings and Dewdrop! One day you should write a Grand-Mothering book filled with your cool kid ideas. My only Grandchild is a darling, darling baby boy, though. Would little boys enjoy Cocoa parties? I wish you had some entries about how you entertained your little grandsons, I’m sure you have tons of inspiration there as well! Stay warm… just keep visualizing your recent trip to Hawaii and revisiting your beautiful album of memories!
So glad that the grown-ups were as likable as the sweet friend. We got ice – almost a half inch. but I trudged to work through closed roads and downed trees, limbs and downed wires. Only to get there and have no internet or phones. What a day!!!
Hope that you got that firewood in the house!
lol… so cute. The dog in the last photo looks like it is frozen solid! Just looking at those photos of snow makes my bones ache— I just don’t know how you do it!
This winter has been a rough one, I dont know how we do it either, Cheryl!
We did get firewood, Leann, that has helped so much. Its single digit temps now, much colder than when were playing outside The only plus for us is that it was fluffy, light snow, no ice. Good luck with the downed power lines and lack of utilities. That is when things get rough.
The pups look sooo funny!!
Gloria in Virginia
I know…all that story I comment on the pups. Go figure.
Those dogs were pretty durn cute, running around in snow taller than them!
Karla…all I can say is, God bless you…I believe you and your husband are such kind hearted people, and every evening, I check your post for a dose of humor and love and crafts. When this weather breaks for the spring, you need to come up for lunch..my treat! Glad you now have Emily Gator to get your sweet grands out and about. Patty in Kansas
It looks more fun in Kansas — maybe because it will go away sooner!
Love the pictures of the girls in the snow because it reminds me of my childhood in South Dakota. I’m mostly a California girl, and haven’t played in the snow for eons, but I sure have fond memories of it.
Usually our snow is gone In a few days. But we are in a cold snap and it is lasting way too long for me!
Are you the best grandparents, ever? I say YES.
Great story! That’s one lucky family — and so are you all! Snorting/laughing over “shoe store people”! That so sounds like something I would say!