Wonderland?

I remember winter as wonderful. Snow storms blanketed the terrain in a cloak of wonder and awe. Small hills became mountainous. Trees became majestic with icicle crowns, limbs bent down, hiding me in their branches. Sap. Dirt. Dead leaves. All fresh and new - cleansed in white.

Snow angels. Forts. Sleds.

Ruddy nose, numb fingers, slush in my socks pinching my skin and melting around my ankles - all forgiven. Winter was magic that way.

It snowed yesterday and I felt the tingle of that 'ol magic rise up in me as I watched my son slap at the windows with glee.

To the sled!

I quickly set about blowing up his inflatable sled and pieced together enough winter clothing to keep him warm. Hand-me down mittens two sizes to big, a pair of snowpants bought at a consignment shop - a hat on sale and boots from a bin of 'old clothing' a former co-worker game me. No matter - we were going out, into the winter wonderland!

Armed with a camera and a smile, I was sweating before we even left the house. Bundling a one year old could be an exercise class taught at a gym. No matter though - we pressed on. With the sled beneath one arm and The Boss hoisted on my hip - we burst through the door and out into the crisp air and the breathtaking white landscape. Right smack dab in the glistening beauty of it all.

...The Boss, however, was not impressed.

This "I can't believe you pulled me away from Blues Clues for this" expression is the one he carried throughout our entire winter-wonderland experience. No smiles. No Giggles. No awe or wonder. Just this.

I pulled him over small hills, down the bumpy street, spun him in circles - and got nothing but this. Bored. Irritated. I believe he even rolled his eyes at me at one point.

Of course, if I was stuffed into enough clothing to suffocate a small animal, I would probably have been just as thrilled.

Oh well. There's always next year.