[Walkers] in a Winter Wonderland

Most of the time we love being able to walk to school. Then there was today. We left the house filled with the excitement that comes easily to California transplants who walk out into a few inches of fresh snow in the morning. Snowflakes were twirling rapidly around us and small snowdrifts were collecting. Lyle walked through snow that spilled over the tops of his boots and Baxter searched for ever deeper snowdrifts so that he could do the same.

After about a block, however, we had to turn south and suddenly the day was not so kind. The wind blew cold snow straight into our faces and knocked the breath right out of us. It was then that I saw the situation for what it was: since Matt's on a business trip again, I had to take Lyle out to drop off Baxter. Because the sidewalks and streets weren't cleared yet, we couldn't use the stroller. Lyle had to walk (or, when the going got rough, be carried). Since Lyle has a bad cold complete with goopy eyes, he was an uncomfortable mess. It suddenly occurred to me that perhaps taking him out - although necessary and intially exciting - wasn't the best thing for him. He started yelling in my face, "Where's Lyle's car? Need the car! Take the car!"

It's funny how, when things are going smoothly, I can overlook all this and enjoy it. Then all of a sudden there's a shift, and the reality of it becomes crystal clear.

Needless to say, we're happy to be back home this morning, where we can look out at the swirling snow and enjoy its beauty. From indoors.