Surviving the Thaw

A lot of places receive snow during the winter months. And, for that matter, many receive more than we do. But this winter has brought more snow since November than we saw all last year (at least here at our house). December was below freezing most of the month, and so the few snow adventures were well enjoyed. As the snow increased, it became rather difficult to break trail to the hill for sledding. We have had snow up as high as the back-rest of the deck already. Yes, snow three feet and more. That's just piling up with our only real relief coming in the form of rain.

January came in mild. Normally temps are below freezing now, not in December. The snow has started to melt off and with a day like Monday with the temps in the 60's that melt is rather fast and scary (flooding being a possibility). But, the real danger for us is ice. Yes, with all this melt off, our snow is covered in a layer of ice and so is our driveway.

This, of course, came as a great pleasure to Gabi yesterday when I sent her outside to play. She discovered that the area out back near the snowman was also iced over. Since she's been wanting to learn to ice skate she decided she'd teach herself. Not knowing the wonderful adventure Gabi had discovered, I sent Beth out with her. I did not have Jeremy bundled up yet when I heard a howl at the door that Beth was ready to come back in. She hadn't been out for even five minutes. I had no idea that when I'd open the door I'd see a dripping wet, freezing little girl.

No, we don't have a pond (although lake Nielsen, the puddle at the end of the driveway, is developing nicely). The "ice rink" that Gabi had discovered opened into a sunnier section of the lawn. A section perfectly covered in snow water. And, since ice skating without skill means sliding until you loose all control and fall down to a slippery end, the puddle was only all too willing to accept the poor unknowing girls.

Of course, those of you who know Gabi well know this didn't stop her. No, she all but swam out of the puddle only to do it all again. Anyone who knows what snow pants, coats and winter boots are like when they are drenched will understand why Gabi had to wear her sneakers to school this morning.

Aside from that, the snowman has already passed on, dying by way of a melted off head. He's awfully skinny, though the next couple of storms coming our way just might fatten him up! So winter isn't really gone, but the thaw was nice while it lasted.