10 Lessons I Learned Today.

Today I did something that I rarely ever do. I went outside in the snow. With the boys. And it was fun!

Usually, the only time I ever dare to brave the snow is when I have to walk out to my car, or take the garbage can to the curb. I do not shovel. I do not use the snow blower. That is Daddio's job. However, Daddio is away for work in New York City for the weekend  and dear old Mother Nature decided to drop a foot of snow on us last night. Wet, heavy snow. Thankfully, one of our kind elderly neighbors sent her snow blower man over to us this morning to clear the driveway for us. (One of the many perks of living in Smalltown). So that saved Owen and me the hassle of trying to shovel a foot of snow while Benny was napping. Thank goodness too, because that snow is heavy!

I still had to clear the walkway to the driveway and tidy up the spots that snow blower man missed (not complaining!). So I bundled up the boys, dressed myself up in Daddio's snow gear (to the delight of Owen who could not stop laughing at me. "Probably that don't look good on you, Mom."), and headed outside to shovel some snow!

An hour later, and we're all dressed.

Armed with our shovels and a sled, we bravely set to our task. We lasted about 15 minutes before I decided to take the boys for a ride in the sled instead. 20 minutes later (for what should have been a 5 minute walk under normal conditions), we arrived home and finished the driveway.

I learned 10 valuable lessons today from my 45 minute experience outside:

...

Ah, the preschool years, when kids are still sweet and innocent and entirely clueless about the phrase "child labor", as they willingly help out Mommy and Daddy with the household chores.

I dread the moment when Owen stops thinking that bringing the laundry downstairs is fun, or a challenge to prove to Mommy that he really does have the muscles strong enough to carry his laundry basket (and Ben's, and the sheets, and blankets....) down the stairs. Or when he discovers that matching everyone's socks really isn't a very exciting game afterall.

And poor Daddio when Owen decides that he should be getting PAID to shovel the sidewalk. Right now, he's perfectly content with shoveling snow, as long as he is able to eat a few handfuls when he is finished. I don't exactly see that as still being the case when he is 12 or 13.

Sure I'll shovel. No problem.

The sidewalk next? Okay!

Can I stop now?