What a Difference a Year Makes

Last winter was long. Really, really long. With a brand newbie and a just-two year old, my first winter in this apparent snow vortex we chose to move to was...well, difficult. Let's just say, we were climbing the walls, and by "we", I mean me. But just one year later, it is infinitely easier. I'd even go so far as to say I am enjoying this winter. Ethan loves playing outside in the snow, and three major developments have greatly improved this experience for everyone involved. First, he can actually help put on his own snow gear this year, instead of resisting every bit of help while whining throughout. Oh yeah, that would be Adam. Second, and this is huge given that Adam is at that really-difficult-to-suit-up stage, he can play outside BY HIMSELF! Of course I keep a close eye on him, but I can do that from the warmth of my kitchen, in my PJs, with a cup of coffee and a crossword puzzle while Adam is napping upstairs. Ahhhhh. Third, Ethan can actually stay outside longer than four minutes, which was his average duration of outdoor activity last winter. We'd get all suited up, lug ourselves outside, and then decide that it was way too cold, his clothes weren't fitting quite right, there was a rock in his boot, and on and on and on... All this is to say that we are having a lot of fun playing in the snow this winter, and aren't cursing every flake that falls...yet. Check back with me in March.

Ethan and Ben did some shoveling this afternoon. Ben might disagree, but Ethan is almost helpful with the shoveling this year. Check it out - he actually lifts some snow with that little shovel of his.

Of course, he often dumps it right back in the same spot.

He is very serious about the job at hand, however, telling me about "areas he is working on" and insisting that he has "lots of work to do".

I realized when I got back inside and uploaded these photos that I had taken an almost identical shot last year:

And here are the shovelers at work a year ago...

And today: