I get really jazzed about snowmen(and women)

picture coming as soon as my scanner decides to cooperate


While I was driving E to school today I saw the best snowman ever! Well, maybe not ever, but I was darn impressed. He even had a corncob pipe.
I love snowmen. They make me happy. I like the fun of making one, the joy of finding one, and the happiness they represent. Just good family fun for someone. They don't cost anything other than some time and exposure to the frigid cold.
The year before last, I gave Mandy's family a snowman-making kit for Christmas. It had an extravagant snowman pop-up book ( I knew she would keep it safe from little ripping hands), all the parts including sticks for arms to build a snowman spur-of-the-moment. Even a fake carrot nose and coal eyes. And what well-made snowman would be complete without a top hat and scarf? I bundled it all into a snowman bag so that they will always be able to go right to it and go play. I think I might have put in some hot chocolate also.
I have made many snowmen in my day. The one in this picture I made with my Mom. Emily was 3 or 4. Matthew was too little to really be out with us. It was BIG! I remember we had a heck of a time getting the middle part on top of the bottom. I can't remember if we had to build a snow ramp to roll it up or if we levered it up with a shovel. I remember it was a pain. Heavy snow. And lots of it. After we got it done, we took pictures of all of us around it. Then someone, probably me, decided we needed to make a sign saying "hi" to my sister and her kids in NY. So then we held up the sign and took pictures of us waving to them. We mailed it with a little cabin fever package. Coloring books and things like that.
Another snowman that I distinctly remember, I made alone. Well, not alone. I think I was pregnant with Matthew and Emily was out with me, but she was too little to help. I made the Statue of Liberty. I even went in and made a torch out of art supplies for her hand. For the crown spikes I broke off icicles and put them on the top. I filled a water bottle with colored water and sprayed her a greenish blue color. She was pretty cool.
I can not wait to have you here so we can build snow people together. Or snow creatures. Like cats? Or now that the kids are getting bigger and might not have that much interest in playing like that we might have to make some gruesome snowmen Calvin & Hobbes style. Those crack me up too. Where he would build them to look like his Dad hit one with the car. I think we need to do some recreations of those. Or we could make cats. Or a sunbathing lady. Complete with sunglasses.
I haven't been sledding in years, but there is a good hill for it here. I took the kids once and Matthew was still scared to go down by himself so he was riding with me. He was plenty old enough to go alone. So, once, when he thought I was going to get on behind him; I just pushed him down solo. He looked back at me with giant eyes, but then he loved it. He was the last one that wanted to go home. If I wouldn't have done that, he would be still riding with me probably.
I am looking forward to so much fun with you. I hope that these next 37-ish days fly by so that then we can get you here and can start all of the fun! Imagine how great you will look building snow-things in your beautiful,warm scarf all full of love!
I love you baby!