it's possible we're not in (ar)kansas anymore: when winter hits arkansas

Arkansas averages one good snowfall a year. To us, that means we get 1 or 2 inches of snow that the kids make (muddy, rocky) snowmen out of. This year, we've already had two good snowfalls, including last week's 7 (!) inches. A 7-inch snowfall all but REQUIRES everyone not using a walker to get out and play in it. Out came the boots, the snow suits, the gloves, the. . .WHERE ARE THE HATS? WHO HAS A HAT? WHERE DID YOUR HAT GO?!

My question to the more northern readers: How do y'all do this ALL winter long? Is it possible to surgically attach gloves or hats to children?

Kev drove more than 8 hours in ice and snow to see us. That's love. I'm not sure if it's love for me and the kids, his dog, or playing in the snow, but I'll take what I can get.

Sunday (since it was the blizzard of the year and church was cancelled--seriously.), Kev took the kids to his brother's house to sled. Sledding around here involves a 4wheeler, a rope, and something else. Sleds are SO optional. The guys sledded until they removed all snow AND grass from the ground. Not everyone can come home from sledding muddy. . .

My niece (possibly the smartest of the bunch) decided to build a snowman instead of being on the redneck-ride-of-death-and-dismemberment. Kady found the buttons she had "forgotten" on the snowman and returned them. Oops. I guess we need more practice at the snowman bit.

Did I make a wrong turn somewhere?

I am well aware that there are a few readers that are warm and cozy in your more northerly homes. You are used to sub-zero temperatures and snow and winter clothes. That said, . . .

Y'all, it's cold here.

(Like 16 degrees cold.)

And we live in the south.

And we don't do cold.

At least, I don't do cold.

At all.

We had to dig out heavy coats.

And gloves.

I don't do hats.

Or scarves.

This reminds me of the one time I journeyed to Chicago.

It was REALLY, REALLY cold.

Bitterly cold.

And people kept saying, "WHERE are you from?"

I haven't been back.

Which reminds me, it's really, really cold here.

I wonder if I can find a scarf. . .