Dreaming of a White Christmas

This has been one remarkable week! We'll remember Peyton's first snow/Christmas 2008 with glee for years to come. There has been one winter storm after another with high temperatures hovering around freezing for over a week. As a result, memorable amounts of beautiful, white snow keep piling up outside. Peyton has been mesmerized by watching the snow flakes falling through the window and equally so by the flames glowing in the fireplace. His expression is one of shock and awe - it's as if he were saying, "Huh?" I've enjoyed the opportunity to cozy up to the fire, sip hot cocoa, cuddle with my baby (both of them) and even take Peyton outside to truly experience the feel and taste of the snow storm.

Early in the week, when the snow wasn't so deep (a mere 5-6"), or the flurries too heavy, we walked the loop to get the mail. I did everything I could to shield Peyton from the light snow flurries. But, as all snow bunnies must do, he kept lifting his face toward the sky to feel "cold" as each flake landed on his face and to taste "cold" when they land on his tongue. His beaming smile and infectious giggle let me know that he really seemed to like it.

Later in the week, when the snow accumulation was greater (nearing 9-10"), and the flurries much heavier, Steve and I took Peyton snowshoeing. We were able to snowshoe from our back door all the way to the park just down the hill from our house. Peyton may not have felt the same shock and awe as the previous outing, but he didn't cry, he didn't even fuss. He just hunkered down, barely visible beneath Steve's coat, and took in the whole experience. Well, at least until he fell asleep, that is.






Last night, we experienced yet another side effect of the storm. The absence of a major modern convenience, electricity. It was actually timed quite well and didn't last long, but exciting none the less. A few earlier flickers hinted at the possibility of an evening without power. Then, just as the timer was going off and dinner was coming out of the oven, SNAP! We were suddenly sitting quietly in the dark. We scurried for the headlamps and candles (a more organized version of myself, a more "in tune" with my surroundings version of myself, my former self, actually) would have already had these things at the ready. Peyton could sense the change in the mood and noticed the usually hum-drum of electronics and evening activities had come to a stop. He became down right mad for a short time, but was already pretty exhausted and the pitch dark and calm that had settled over our home proved to be a perfect combination to lull our dear little Barracuda into deep sleep. A short time later we also headed to bed only to be jolted awake after a couple of hours by the hum-drum of various appliances that suggested life as we know it was back to normal, well as normal as it can be when you still have nearly a foot of snow piled up outside on your lawn! Ironically, what felt like the shortest day ever (in terms of daylight) was. Yesterday was the Winter Solstice. Oh how I love the Winter Solstice - the days will only continue to get longer for the next 6 months!


Snow flurries or snow flurries mixed with rain are predicted through the week. This forecast basically means things could start to turn pretty messy sooner than later. Oh how I'm "Dreaming of a White Christmas."