Spring(?) Forward

It has been proven year after year (through very unscientific research methods) that Vannestes "spring forward" much better than they "fall back." That's not to say that we sprung forward without issues ... and maybe just shows how badly we transition in the fall ... but nonetheless, we weathered the time change - with a little help from the weather.

The kids woke up at their normal time (so actually an hour earlier than usual), which was great as we had Sunday School and hockey practice first thing in the morning. Dec and I headed for the rink and the girls and Mike headed to church. We had gotten some snow the night before, but significantly less than the 12 inches predicted. The sun was out and there was fresh powder on the ground. You all know how we feel about those conditions. It called for as much time spent outside as possible! D and I ran into Auntie Cheryl at the rink and invited the P gang over for some afternoon sledding.

Right after lunch, we met our neighborhood buddies outside for snow painting and fort building. We brought the kids, the shovels, and Mike's 40 oz flask filled with Fireball. We were very popular neighbors! After some playing in the neighbor's yard, we grabbed a bunch of sleds and saucers, gathered six children and three adults, and made our way over to the sledding hill.

We had big work to do as there were no trails and almost too much snow for good sledding. We had lots of people, so it was all hands on deck (or butts on sleds) to get everything packed down. We even ended up with a few good jumps ... some intentionally created and some more naturally constructed. About an hour later, the Ps showed up. Our kids got a new shot of energy and we spent another hour on the hill. Everyone was happy, soaked, and sunburned (for real!) by the end. It was such a glorious, sunny day outside and everything our winter-bound bodies needed!!

The kids were wiped out by the end (it is a lot of work to continuously climb through waist-deep snow), so we threw everything and everybody in the bed of Uncle Brad's truck for the two block trek to our house. It was the perfect "northern Minnesota" way to end the day. Then we talked the Ps into coming inside to play ... and have pizza ... and maybe a beer or hot chocolate or two.

I love when we can make an impromptu plan with friends on a glorious day. And even better when that facilitates a "zero complaint" bedtime at 7:30 on the first day of Daylight Saving Time. Thank goodness for sunshine, fresh air, several feet of snow, and kids who are game for about anything - as long as it is outside.

We may love winter in this house, but the glimpses of spring have us all dreaming of bikes and scooters and the cabin.