The Magic of Winter!

It's winter here in Northeast Ohio...

I made a conscious choice at that moment to change my perspective.

It’s winter here in Northeastern Ohio.  Brrrrrr!  This morning began with blowing snow and wind gusts carrying in the frigid temperatures that are forecast for tonight.  After shoveling snow, slipping on ice and trying to keep the snow from going down my sleeves as I brushed off my car, I arrived home.  It was 5:30 and rather dreary.  I was cold, hungry and a little grumpy.  I called my close friend and we were having somewhat of a dreary conversation when suddenly I realized how gloomy I was feeling.

“What’s wrong with you?” I silently asked myself.  I made a conscious choice at that moment to change my perspective.  I began by sharing with my friend the idea that we have the ability to make winter just as fun as summer.  Okay, it’s definitely a different kind of fun, but still fun!  “Just think of all the magic that winter brings to us!” I said to her.  Our conversation became much brighter with each magical, winter blessing we thought of . . .

Ice Skating:  When you think about the scientific process of a mass of water molecules in a lake bonding together in such a way that they become one mass strong enough to support a group of people, it’s fascinating.  That’s teamwork!  I have such wonderful memories of ice skating as a kid and also with our kids!

Sled Riding:  Most of us have had the exhilarating experience of flying down a snow-covered hill with only a thin piece of plastic between us and the snow!  Or perhaps seeing how many people can be stacked upon one another on a big toboggan.  The more packed down the snow gets, the faster you go!

Snow Statues:  This one is so fun especially when you think ‘outside the snowman’!  We have built a whole snow family, putting accessories on each one to resemble our family.  We have made a seal with a balloon ball on it’s nose, igloos of course, snow forts, snow castles, even a snow Easter bunny with a late winter snow.  Once again, science is amazing when you realize each snowflake has its own shape to create building blocks for us to create with!

Snow Games:  One of our favorites is Cut the Snow Pie.  You create a large circle in the snow and make cuts across the pie.  We just use our feet to create the paths.  When the game begins, one person is ‘it’.  It becomes a game of tag, but everyone has to run ONLY on the paths cut in the pie!  Great exercise, it’s amazing how hot you can get when it’s so cold outside!  Another fun game is to have one person close their eyes and everyone else makes a snow angel.  The person then tries to guess which angel belongs to whom. 

Snow Shooting:  This is with a camera, of course!   Winter is such a beautiful time to take a walk and capture some incredible pictures.  Snow angels, icicles, trees, and as my friend Sarah taught me, even footprints become great subjects for great pictures.  Plus everyone always looks healthy with those rosy cheeks!

So I invite you to bundle up in layers and layers, pack your pockets with Chapstick and tissues, call your friends and family and invite them to come play in the snow and experience the magic of winter!