Seven reasons why not to get my undies in a bunch because it's snowing in April

Inside my house, tiny pink flowers are blossoming on branches set out on my dining room table ...

Outside my house ... not so much.

A fresh new pile of snow has been falling outside most of today and while I want to complain about how much I'm tiiiired of winter weather and I am oooover being cold all the time, I'm also trying to remember this is Minnesota and complaining about the forecast doesn't change anything. We're the ones who choose to live here.

Instead, I'm trying to focus on the good things this snow storm is bringing our way because positivity is better than being a bitter party of one all day. At least that's what I keep telling myself ...

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Seven reasons why not to get my undies in a bunch

because it's snowing in April

(with extra use of exclamation points because it's more convincing that way)

1) This is probably the last snow we'll see this year! Right? I mean, right God? This has to be the last time so we should enjoy it!

2) All this snow will melt fairly quickly I'm sure and it'll be great for my yard and future flower beds. Soak up the moisture, ground! The more precipitation we get now, the less I have to water later. (At least that seems to make sense).

3) Andi bought me auto start for my truck this winter and it's been a lifesaver. How great is it that I've been able to use my auto start for an extended period of time this winter / spring? How convenient! Always a warm vehicle. Perfect.

4) Our cabin lake was looking a little low last fall, so all this snow / snow melt will be great for boosting up the water level again. Super! We'll be swimming and boating in no time!

5) When it snows, at least the annoying neighbor kid who bounces his basketball directly outside our bedroom window isn't outside shooting hoops. That's a big win right there. Score!

6) As crappy as the snow is, I have no reason to complain because I didn't have to drive anywhere today. Being a stay-at-home-mom means I never have to see traffic like this again.

Traffic pic Andi text me on his drive into work this AM
Go ahead, try to avoid the "red" roads

Tory and I stayed home today and watched the snow fall outside our living room window. If I have to experience a snow storm, that's my favorite place to be.

7) And finally, well, I actually can't come up with a seventh reason. I'm tired of this crappy weather just like everyone else is. If my kid would stop refusing naps today and actually rest a bit, maybe we could even go outside and play in this powdery white stuff one last time.

Christmas Advent Calendar: Day 9

Six inches of snow has fallen in our neighborhood since Midnight and according to weather reports, there's 15" of snowfall at our Wisconsin cabin. I'm glad we decided to return home late last night and have a chill day in the comforts of our home today. The snow is a beautiful sight when you're not white-knuckling it on the freeway somewhere. 

For breakfast this morning, Andi made holiday pancakes for his girls. He used cookie cutters to make Christmas trees, stockings and snowflake shapes. It was something super easy and fun to do and the pancakes were the perfect size for Tory. She gobbled them right up. (Tip: spray the cookie cutter with cooking spray before adding the batter inside or it's hard to flip the pancakes on the griddle).

Later today, Andi and I decided to bundle Tory up in her snow suit (for the real deal this time!) and play in our snow-covered backyard for Day 9's Christmas advent calendar activity. Originally, I'd planned for us to visit a live nativity scene today, but the fresh powder in our yard was too pretty not to play in. Plus, the weather says we're suppose to get 10+ inches by the time this storm is done and in addition, the wind's suppose to pick up tonight causing white-out conditions. Sounds like a perfectly good excuse to stay safe and comfortable at home.

Going outside to play in the snow is no easy feat. It's a 15 minute process getting all three of us dressed in hats, mittens, coats, snow pants and boots. When we were all ready, I stepped outside on the patio deck, placed Tory down in the snow and she lost it. Full on scream-fest. Apparently, it's a little intimidating standing in snow up to your thighs for the very first time. So, scratch the idea of "playing in the snow" off the list. Tory stopped crying if I held her, so we snapped a few photos of us together in the snow instead of playing in it.

Goofy Daddy started throwing snowballs and the watering can at the tree, causing big clumps of snow to fall off its branches and that seemed to warm Tory up to the idea of being outside. She still didn't want to stand or play on her own, but we did hear a few giggles out of her.

Just look at all the snow on our deck railing and it's still falling as we speak. It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas around here!

Has Spring Really Sprung?

Tease!

I came home from Nebraska this weekend where the temperatures were warm and spring-like. 60's and sun where flip flops and no coats were welcome everywhere.

As I drove into Minnesota yesterday, I watched my car's outside temperature gauge tick lower and lower. But I can't complain too much ... most of the snow has melted from my yard and the welcome sight of tulips are popping up in my flower beds. TULIPS! A sure sign spring is around the corner, right?

.... BUT, the forecast is calling for 3-5 inches of snow on Wednesday. Please, weatherman, tell me it isn't snow, I mean so. Another chance for snow in the forecast for the weekend. Could it really be?

On the news tonight, they said we should feel lucky because Minnesota's March average snowfall is 10 inches and we've only have 3.5 in the Twin Cities this month. Lucky? Is that really the word you'd use?

Say it isn't so ...

February Blizzard

Yesterday was a snow day in every sense of the word, and today the fun began: digging ourselves out of the heavy, white mess. The snow always looks so pretty and peaceful from the inside comforts of my house, but the moment I step outside and begin to navigate though it I find myself wondering why the heck we live where we do.

The weather report says we officially got 14 inches of snow in St. Paul - the biggest snow fall in February on record. Sweet. (Note the sarcasm, it's really not that sweet). Fortunately, we live on a snow emergency route so our main street was plowed early this morning. Unfortunately, the alley behind our house had not been plowed by the time I left this morning and neither had the side streets.

Poor Chloe had to use this winter wonderland for a restroom this morning. She looked at us like we were crazy for making her go out there! Today was her free pass for pooping in the house which she took full advantage of.

Luckily or unluckily, I had a doctor's appointment for the baby (which you can read about here) this morning at 8:15am. I say unluckily because had it not been for that doctor's appointment, I probably would have called in to work today. Andi usually leaves a few hours before I do and my car would have never made it on its own. But since he drove me to the appointment and it's only a few blocks away from my office, I figured I better go in.

They're forecasting even more snow for later this week and all I can think is when will cabin season be here?! I'm ready.