Sunday, November 18, 2012

Winter Training

Back in the day when water was free, the hallways in our little school would literally come alive at half past ten in the morning and the sound was deafening! Not only was there laughter and chatter, but a monotoned, "swish, swish, swish" floated through the air like a sound machine set to white noise. 
"Come on, walk to momma! That ol' snowdrift ain't nothin, come on, little lady! Momma put spikes on your boots, nothin' to worry about that bit of ice for!"

Bib overall ski pants, winter jackets, mitts, and all sorts of flashy toques were pulled on, the thought of Fox and Goose alive in our minds. I'm not sure how our fifteen minute recesses were not solely taken up with the prep for going out in wintertime weather. With the majority of our school days spent playing on a swing set dusted in white and the little hill on the south end full of crazy carpets, our mommas around here have to start training young.

Coaching to pull on that full winter apparel in the shortest amount of time possible with the least amount of fussing, should just about come in a pamphlet from Public Health in Alberta. We know hardcore encouraging phrases are yelled out,  "MAKE SURE YOU'VE USED THE POTTY!" "Come on, you CAN move in those snow pants!" Soon digress to muttered, "now where in the blue blazes are your mittens?" 
Oh yeah! Diggin' extra fast--more arm muscle!

Now if I was a bettin' woman, I'd be pulling out my wallet, because I know any other mother from the north can take one peek at these photos and know the mess in the back porch that follows a morning like this. All the Grandma's say the same things, "Oh, they'll sleep so well after some fresh air!" And all harried young mom's silently chuckle at the truth we know-the hot chocolate after only brings the wildness up fourteen notches. 

Don't be fooled that our skills on the hockey rink come freely, the muscles in our babies legs are being worked from the time a soother still hangs out of their mouth. Mommas' set their marshmallows with legs outside and tell them to run to the barn. With a "get set, go!" we know that this is a finer workout than any treadmill. Coupled with a few treks back up the hill after a toboggan ride down, I'm wondering why Jillian Michaels makes all the cash? I'm just going to start filming the kids and selling a pair of ski pants to go along with my workout video. Ski Pants Power Routine-no big deal. 


Dear Woofie,
Thank you for looking after the children. I will chuck a bone outside later as payment for your kindness.
Cheyenne
While rosy cheeks were tucked into bed tonight, I was grateful for where we live, the here, and the now. Here's to winter and all it's glory. Love it! These are your moments. 



16 comments:

Bonnie said...

Your children couln NOT be any cuter!!! Gotta love us hardy westerners. You're raising those girls up right.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

SUch beautiful pictures, Cheyenne.. and OH, how I LOVE THAT DOG!!...

Rachel said...

Oh my, it looks COLD!! But, it looks like fun, too! ;)

Love that youngest has her frozen binky strapped to her snow clothes! Gotta have it, then later the frozen binky is in her mouth, so fun.

Love the pictures, y'all stay warm!

Mel@Mellywood's Mansion said...

That looks so beautiful and your little one is a doll!

LeAnna said...

*sigh* Such beautiful pictures. Love little Miss's paci attached to her snow suit. ;) It's going to be in the mid 70's here all week...I'm convinced winter will never come.

Unknown said...

Your kiddos are adorable, and that last picture is breath-taking. The snow looks just lovely.

Shirley said...

So precious! How I remember those days in our one room schoolhouse, but back then it was cardboard for sliding down the hills, crazy carpets hadn't been invented.... guess that dates me!

Crystal said...

OIh I remember way back when it was fun to go outside and play in the snow!!! I sure wish I liked it as much now as I did back then :)

quintuplicatemom said...

Oh wow, oh wow~this is fab. Isn't winter beautiful? In that workout pamphlet, be sure to add the calories burned by the mom, pulling all those clothes on & off the littles!

Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheap said...

yes, grateful in the here and now! Super cute children!

Gumbo Lily said...

You've hit the nail on the head with this one, Cheyenne -- snow-covered boots and coats in the mudroom dripping dry, wet floors, boots in puddles, hanging wet mittens and caps from a clothesline by the wood stove -- a mother's winter home.

Now I'm one of those grandma's that says, "They'll sleep well tonight." I don't have to clean up the mess every day! Bless you, Momma, for keeping such a good perspective. We need more moms like you.

~Jody

Anonymous said...

Its so funny, our snow days come maybe once or twice a winter... I can't imagine dealing with it all the time!

Pom Pom said...

Hi Cheyenne! I love the memories of the snow pants and the mittens, boots and hats! We lived in Eastern Washington when our kids were in and out, in and out, in and out! It was exhausting but FUN! I need a pair of boots so I can pull the grandchildren around on the sled and make snow people.

Nell said...

I feel ya, about the whole post. Telling the kids to go potty before they put their snow clothes on is a MUST! I feel ya on the gigantic pile of wet, thawing snow clothes and boots in the aftermath of fun. I feel ya on wired kids full of hot chocolate running around the house with messed up snow hat hair. But that outdoor exercise is MANDATORY, no matter what I have to deal with afterward, so the kids don't drive me nuts. HaHa!

Anonymous said...

As always such wonderful pictures and I love, love, love the way you look at life!

Vicky said...

The sun setting in the last photo is stunning. I think you are on to something with your work out video :) I think this is the first winter we have not been required to send our oldest to school in snow pants and boots. I don't believe for a second however that he will not want to play in the snow when it comes and sticks around! Oh the memories of our snow days :)

test
 
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...