Snowlandia

If ever I was in need of some quality family time, I sure got it these last few days. As some of my fellow residents know, Portland was hit with a tremendous snow storm a few of us didn't think would really happen. I admit, I was a bit skeptical. Our news and weather teams here in the NW have a tendency to over exaggerate, in my humble opinion. My hopes have been raised many times by promises of being snowed in, all to wake up in the morning to a light dusting. This time though, they got it right.

We started out with a few light flurries this past Wednesday afternoon and smartly I headed to the grocery store to fill the house just in case. I posed the kids outside on the famous wall to snap a few photographs of their smiling faces trying to catch snow flakes in their hands. It was downright freezing. Thursday morning arrived with news that a big snow fall was expected, but my ever devoted husband headed off to work anyway against my pleading to not risk it. Sigh. I had high hopes for snow but again, you never know here.  

By early afternoon it was really coming down, and I sat with my nose to the window waiting for Erhan to safely make it home. It took over an hour to drive maybe 10 miles and his phone was dead, which made me even more nervous. Once he arrived at our door step, and dusted the snow from that handsome head of his, I felt like I could take a sigh of relief and could start enjoying our winter wonderland. And what a view it was. The snow just kept coming and coming and the wind was so incredibly strong, it appeared (as my mother put it) as if we were sitting inside a snow globe. It was gorgeous. It began to look a lot like Christmas right smack in the middle of February. We hunkered down and were happy we had nowhere to be. Our family's were safe on both sides and we had enough food and supplies to last us "just in case". Thank goodness for my Costco run earlier that week.

Our mornings were filled with pancakes and a side of snow. The view of our yard from our window looked so pretty. Snow has a way of covering the landscape and making even the most rundown things look picturesque.

After watching picture after picture of my friends and their children outside, I decided to bundle up my Finny and see if he would enjoy some snow fun. In all honesty, I had zero desire to be outside. The California girl in me wanted to stay inside, and warm in front of my flat screen and video games. But the mother in me wanted my child to expeiece the snow fall, so out we went. Finn doesn't own a pair of gloves (I know....) or a pair of boots (sigh.....) but we ventured out anyway in layers of thermal pants and big coats. Finn was excited for about five minutes. The moment the icy wind hit his face and his pink little hands touched snow and it stung, he was done. He is definitely my child. I did manage to get a wave and then a perfect picture of him at the front door begging to head in. Hilarious. That was the end of that. Someday he will enjoy it, but until then it was craft city while we waited for it to melt.

We busted out some of the awesome gifts we got for Christmas that I have been saving in the closet for days like these. I'm a big believer in not opening every gift the kids get. They certainly can't keep track when they are getting so many presents and when you store some of them away for later, it's like Christmas all over again when you bring them out. We did playdoh, and animal cut outs. We put the finishing touches on Finn's Valentine's Day Box and added stars to our chore chart (<----the most amazing idea I've had for Finn I must share sometime).

Anybody who knows me knows I absolutely hate the things in my home to stay in the same spot for very long. I overly enjoy moving furniture, changing art around, redoing shelves and painting the walls (when Erhan lets me....groan). If I had my way, I'd paint and repaint all of the time depending on my mood, but...... Anyway, the furniture in our tiny house is just big enough to only fit where we put it. Our couch can't go any other place than the spot we have it in and our dining room (if you want to call it that) has no room for anything other than our small table and chairs. Our shared office just got a minor refresh by my moving my desk over to in front of the window (LIFE!) but our bedroom has had the furniture in the same place for over seven years. It's a gorgeous set up, but the bed only fits in one spot. It kills me. So, I move the kids room around whenever I can. Finn loves it. He feels like he is getting a "new room" and it amazingly gets him interested in toys he has forgotten about when I put them in a new spot.

 As for what the adults have been doing, E and I have been enjoying each others company to the fullest. There is something to be said about the closeness of a married couple. We could be just sitting side by side for hours, perhaps not even speaking, but every few minutes our hands reach over to touch the other, or we sneak a kiss out of nowhere. I finished my book and have cleaned out more closets and cabinets than I have in years. We have been staying up late and loving the kids on our bed in the morning, with no plans to go anywhere. We have been watching movies and playing retro games we have downloaded on the Wii (Castlevania and Zelda still rule).

Finn actually surprised us by crying a the end of "Big" the other night. This kid is still three, right? We watched "World War Z" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"- Somehow the snow brought Brad Pitt to our television and I'm not complaining.
Our living room has been ground zero for all sorts of shenanigans like helping Daddy do push ups and Leo learning how to play the piano. He is so interested that a small piano for him might be our next investment. He goes up to the keyboard on his own and moves his little tush to his own music. It's adorable. We have been practicing these last few days with him, trying to get him to walk. He is fifteen months old now and can crawl like a bat out of hell, but refuses to take more than two steps solo. Here I was thinking Finn was a late walker by fourteen months. Meanwhile, Dallas and I both walked at eight months. I'm trying not to be pushy, but I have a strong desire to be hand in hand this summer on the beach with this boy and NOT be pushing a stroller across the sand. All in due time, I'm sure.

We are heading into day five of being inside. Our milk is gone, our eggs and bread are gone. The snacks are starting to disappear and I think if I watch one more episode of Thomas the Tank Engine, I might lose my mind. Since the snow has turned into a thick sheet of ice, we are still unable to get going anywhere. I had to cancel Finn's first swim class which was disappointing and I'm a little nervous they are going to yank my held books at the library.
Surprisingly, though I'm okay with being home. I have been enjoying the house filled with laughter and games. I love not having make up on my face and my Target bill is at an all time low. I have been enjoying the hot chocolate and the tons of facebook time where I can see all of my beautiful friends and their children having the time of their lives. It's the most smiles I have seen on facebook for a while.
My folks are hanging in there with Dallas, but I sure do miss them. Stomach Flu had been going around Partridge House and I haven't seen my family in weeks. I'm hoping to give everyone a healthy hug by Valentines Day this Friday. I'm sure Erhan will be back to work tomorrow, as I'm now watching the snow melt from the tree's and the power cords. It's been the best family time a girl can ask for. Time off with my family without all of the hussle and bussle of it having it be the Holidays. My friend Jenny on Facebook posted that we should be snowed in at least once a month. I tend to agree. It's be wonderful.

Here a few pictures of snow days past. Stay Safe everyone. 

 January 2008. Erhan and my first snow fall. We had just moved in together. Oh this house was about to hold some wonderful memories.

 

Walks in the snow were so romantic.