SNOW

Today is the first day that my little one has been able to walk in the snow. She was VERY excited. This morning events in slow motion:

Me: "Maddie, let's get your coat on so we can go bye-bye. Mommy has to go to work!"

Madeline runs wildly around the kitchen, squealing and giggling.

Me: "Madeline, let's go!"

Madeline & Me: wrestling her into her coat and mittens. (Grandma already had her in her snowboots) We walked to the back door.

Me: (Opened the door) "Look, Madeline! Look at the snow!"

Madeline hesitantly steps onto the deck-- her eyes grew big as saucers. She slowly got down the steps (Grandpa had shoveled a path to my car [Thanks, Dad!]). She stepped onto the pavement and squealed with glee at the six inches of snow just a toddler step away. She walked about two steps toward the car on the beautiful path then ventured into the snow to her right. She giggled and jabbered and tried to walk some more in the snow, but she fell. Poor thing. Face first into the snow. She reminded me of the kid in "Christmas Story," the little brother who couldn't get up. I picked her up only to see her smiling face (I was afraid she was going to cry, and it's so cold, not a good combo). We brushed off. She giggled some more. I made my way to the car to put my purse in there. She was still up by the house. I put on my gloves, gathered a little snow in my hand, packed it as best I could, and threw it in her general direction. Well, the snow is so dry that it only made it about half way there, and came apart in the process. Her eyes danced at the sight of more snow falling around her for a second. Finally, I got her into the car and we were on the road. We made it to our destinations with no major problems. The roads were a little icky, but the Rio was happy to go.

I have that funeral today, but I am hoping to get out early enough to get some snow boots from Wal-mart and play in the snow a little with her tonight before dark.