Let it snow

Last weekend we got our first real snow of the season. Originally, forecasting as much as a full foot of snow, we got about 5 inches in Minneapolis. Still, a good amount when it comes to driving, shoveling, and playing in. We had the good fortune in that the storm came on the weekend, i.e. not during rush hours. (Isn't it funny that there was a time it was called rush hour--without the plural, and that was an accurate description?)

We stayed close to home. During the early part of the snow storm, I ventured to the post office and neighborhood co-op, where I procured our sustainably-grown Christmas tree. Lights were strung up and ornaments placed. I'm happy that I did the outdoor lights the previous week.

Meredith got some good outdoor play in. She played with both Junior and Eleanor outside, shoveling, sledding, and generally goofing around. We went to the mid-sized hill at Matthews Park just a few blocks away. It didn't take Meredith long to get used to and enjoy the high speed downhill sledding. (This often cautious girl volunteered to go down a steep part by herself as soon as we got there.)

Elaine spent the weekend indoors and her movement has exploded. She is on the cusp of crawling. She rolls, she pivots. She lunges. She scoots. She even drags herself with her arms on occasion. She can push her body off the floor. Often, she can get several feet across the room with some effort. What I also find notable is her frustration level. Elaine has generally been a patient and content baby (minus the first few months of colic and acid reflux). But she is clearly getting impatient with her ability to move and get to things she finds interesting. It's as if a light bulb went off above her head and suddenly she realizes what's possible. She certainly has the drive to try to move around that she really didn't have a week ago. But there has been a surplus of whining and crying along the way.


Snow Pictures





Video: Elaine shows her stuff