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Snow Day 2011

OUR 1st HOUSE

I was all set to hit publish on my how-to-glaze furniture post…but then it went up and did this:

So of course I figured that you would want to hear about the Bower family snow day instead of a tutorial on how to make your furniture look worn and weathered (heehee…I said “weathered”.)  I’m right, no?!  You wanna hear about precipitation, don’t you? 

I’ll take the silence as a yes. 

One thing to know about the south is this….we don’t do snow.  I say we because there is no way that I am getting on the road with these crazy-don’t-know-how-to-drive-in-snow rednecks.  I also say we because after many years of living here in the south, we have zero cold weather clothing.  We are not equipped.  We did however follow the southern-protocol for snow and purchase all the items needed to make french toast – bread, eggs, and milk.  If we get snowed in and the power goes out…we’ll have a wonderful breakfast.  Of course, it will be uncooked because our stove is electric.

Anyhoo…so yesterday we woke up to a beautiful landscape of white…

We estimated it to be about 6 inches. 

I love our house in the snow.  It looks so stately.  I think it’s the white roof. 

You may remember the snow days that we had last year….

or the one the year before that….

Obviously they were nothing compared to this year’s snow day.  Like a dusting in comparison.  Wimpy wimpy wimpy.

Even our road was white…

And yes in order to get these shots I had to don my motorcycle boots with a pair of sweatpants tucked in…

Beautiful….

Okay…so later yesterday afternoon we decided that it would be only proper to take Will out for his first sled ride.  Our sled was the redneck version….a laundry basket with a pillow and a blanket. 

Since it had rained after it snowed, there was this almost-half inch thick slab of ice on the snow…which made it perfect for sliding on….

Will didn’t know what to think.

He probably was a bit cramped in his outfit.  I put him in two onesies, a sweater, that lined jumpsuit, a vest, a hat, some adult mittens, four pairs of socks…and then had the blanket on him.  I just was so scared that he would get cold and sick again.

Poor Jeremy didn’t have any cold weather stuff either…he had to wear his rain suit because he let me borrow his ski pants.  We probably looked crazy strolling along draggin our baby behind us in a laundry basket but I loved it….one of those never-forget-this-moments kinda memory. 

Speaking of moments, there were some that we thought Will was really enjoying the entire snow experience….

And then there were a few that he whipped out the ‘take me home’ face….

After his snow ride we thought it would be fun for him to get up close and personal with the snow….

Jeremy tried to teach him that it was fun…

….but Will didn’t really believe him. 

Overall, I learned a couple things…one, have some snow gear ready just in case.  After we went back inside we ordered some gender neutral snow pants on clearance for future little ones.  Next time, we’ll be prepared.  Two…I need to keep my Goodwill eyes peeled for adult cold-weather stuff.  Three…do not use a clothing storage box as a sled…it will get torn to pieces and you will have to find a different place for that stack of clothing on your bedroom floor.  Fourthly…don’t go outside to play right before naptime…it wears them out but it also takes substantionally longer to get them undressed, changed, warmed up and calmed down.

 

oh and last tip…make sure you take your camera out there…it’s worth the photos.  Even if they are crying…or happy…or blurry playing shots….or redneck sledding…it’ll be worth it. 

Personally I will always laugh whenever I see this pose:

and remember how we had a beautiful play date in the snow.

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Comments

  1. Ha ha ha, would you believe that I’ve been checking your site all day? As soon as I heard that Georgia got snow, I thought, “Oh, I’ll bet Katie will post some awesome snow pics!” 🙂

  2. LOVE this post, especially the photos. How funny are Will’s scarecrow hands?! Sending this one to my sister, who has a 5 year old Will and a little guy who will turn 1 (!) in a couple of weeks. xo

  3. It looks like you had so much fun! Thanks for reminding me that snow is actually fun and beautiful. Up in MN we’re like, “great, more snow.” And then we frown and complain about it. It made me smile to see how much you enjoyed it 🙂

  4. You guys look like you had so much fun. Good for you. 🙂

    I think all my students are praying our snow will continue overnight and we’ll get one of those tomorrow. Here’s hoping anyway 😛

  5. I think I enjoyed this post more than I will enjoy the glazing furniture post–no offense 🙂 Will is one of the cutest babies I’ve seen, always love the posts featuring him.

  6. Fun pictures of the snow! We’re homebound as well over in the Cherokee County area with about 5 inches and a driveway of ice! Unfortunatetly my husband and I have been too sick to enjoy playing in it, so we’ve just gazed at it through the windows with our space heater and blankets to keep us warm!

  7. Lucky. I’m south of Birmingham, AL, and we got about two inches of ice. No soft snow. Just ice.

  8. Hi Katie:

    I’ve been reading your blog for about a year now, and you always make me laugh. LOVED your pictures of Will in the laundry basket. You are very resourceful, honey! And you are so right about the south not doing snow. I’m a Jersey girl. Years ago we were visiting relatives in Georgia, and it snowed while we were there. The state pretty much closed down. Glad you, Jeremy, and Will ventured out and enjoyed the white stuff.

  9. OMG, both of my sons and families are housebound in ATL, can’t even get out their driveways. The pic of Will in the Redneck sled brings back memories. My mom did that to my son (who is now 27) in Missouri when we got hit with a huge blizzard out there, and let me tell you that was the smoothest ride for him best sled ever !!!!!

  11. Oh. My. Word.
    **saddest** cry face ever!! And I thought my daughter’s pout was a gut wrencher – Will knows how to turn on the guilt, huh?
    My brother lives in your area and sent some similar pictures of snow on his deck. We’re still waiting for your storm to meet a second storm coming from the west to pummel us all day tomorrow (I’m in Massachusetts). Can’t wait!!!

  13. Man, I live just a few miles of the coast of Lake Michigan, in Michigan. Two words – lake effect!!! We’ve been buried in snow for over a month! I’m so ready for the Spring. 😛

    I got such a great laugh out of your redneck sled! 🙂

  14. Love the pictures! Will’s pout/cry face is just so cute! I don’t know about y’all but we are starting to get cabin fever! Tomorrow will be day 3 of no work for me in Buckhead. The amount of ice on the roads is really kind of crazy! I tried to walk to Whole Foods today and they had closed 30 minutes earlier… and it seems like most everywhere is closed. 🙁 Stay warm and safe!

  15. Katie B, you are hilarious!

    I grew up in Southern California and I am pretty sure that if we ever had a snow day (we haven’t in the years I lived there!) our pictures would look just like yours. Unless you go up into the mountains, stores don’t even sell sleds!

    Thanks for sharing and for the laughs 🙂

  18. LOVE LOVE LOVE this post!! That adorable pic of Will all wrapped up in a laundry basket sled is priceless!! This will definitely be a memory you guys won’t forget!! Thanks so much for sharing!!

  19. We used the top of one of those storage bins, didn’t work out too well. Then my husband shimmied off the top of our huge trash can. It worked great! We are still stuck here as well, not too far from you 🙂

  21. Katie, I am so jealous! I live in VA and I have been praying for some snow and so far nada! What are the chances??

    I loved your pictures of Will. I was dying of laughter reading your description of his outfit. It reminds me of a poem I read with my students called My Mother’s Got Me Bundled Up by Jack Prelutsky.

    Here’s the link if you want to read it while enjoying the snow and of course the yummy french toast.

    http://www.grandviewlibrary.org/PDFS/Poetry/MyMothersGotMeBundledUp.pdf

  22. LOL!!! I love your sled but Will’s outfit made my day. You’re actually lucky to not have lots of snow with a baby… going out is such a process and my lil man just hates getting into his winter coat or his snowsuit… and then buckling them into their carseat is a whole other ordeal. But wow, what fun it looks like you had. I’m glad you enjoyed the snow. You definitely got some great photos.

  24. Oh that “take me home” face just breaks my heart! Will is beyond adorable! What a beautiful family enjoying a beautiful snow day!

  25. My baby saw snow for the first time on Christmas. We were visiting my mom in Atlanta when we got 4 inches on Christmas Day. My “baby” is 20 and grew up in Florida so he had never seen snow except from a cooler when someone brought him some when he was 8 years old. We tried the sledding on cardboard, plastic garbage bags, and lids to plastic bins but nothing worked very well. It was DEFINITELY a real gift to our family. We were together for the first time at Christmas with everyone and we got a gift of snow so that none of us will ever forget it.

    Loved the pics of Will in the snow. In fact, I have to admit I loved the sad crying one the best. Cutie pie.

  26. Being from Nashville, I dont have cold weather wear either really, and I live in Buffalo, NY now, where we have plenty of snow. Nashville’s and you all’s recent bout with snow has nothing on us, haha! We had 4 feet in early Dec!! Anyway, I just throw on my cozy Old Navy sweats or jeans, and a cozy sweater or hoodie under my coat. I did actually invest in some nice Sorel boots that I got on sale a few years ago for about $70 at JC Penney.com! They will last me forever b/c it’s not like I am wearing them year round and spending a lot of time in them. I also got some nice warm gloves a while back- good while shoveling all this snow. Check Kohls for deals on cold weather wear for the kids. They often have coat/snowpant sets and there is always a sale. I got my older son some two years in a row, probably for about $25 for the set! And they are nice too! Children’s Place has them too, but wait for a sale. I bought my 4 1/2 y/o’s coat and Lands End boots big this year so he can wear them next year- money saver!

  27. Not a bad day at all! Of course I have to just share a pic that you might get a kick out of.. Here’s our neighbor’s back yard full of snow after we received 20+ inches last month:

    http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sa4jFrt3B4M/TQbO9Px5dvI/AAAAAAAAMyk/toHet-tBSPg/s1600/DSC02959.jpg

    and one more:
    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sa4jFrt3B4M/TQbPPVJXpRI/AAAAAAAAMzE/lUz2oAFzaVU/s1600/DSC02957.jpg

    Snow removal after that storm was really bad. Really bad. Haha but I’m glad it’s over now. Hope you enjoyed your snow day!

  28. Love this post… love the makeshift sled. Our neighbors were pulling their kids in the street with a lawnmower. 🙂 Welcome to McDonough! We’ve been stuck in the house too since it hit… looks like I’ll be back at work tomorrow afternoon. Stay warm!

  30. Looks like you created great memories… That’s what moms do! We create the memories and dads do the work! But then we also do the laundry… so I guess its a fair game! Great pictures!

  31. yikes! Kristi if that ever happened here literally people would just start digging graves and throwing themselves in. Crazy!
    xo – kb

  33. Love it!! Looks like so much fun! P.S. I just got my Jo Totes bag in..I got Rose Marigold, but I actually had bookmarked Missy Gray for a LONG time! For some reason, I changed my mind at the last minute. I LOVE it! It makes my life fuller and worthwhile. 🙂

  34. Wow! You got so much more snow than we are getting here in VA – we have an inch on the ground and that will likely be it. No snow day tomorrow for us! I totally love your “sled”. We do actually own sleds and shovels after our crazy blizzards last year. I should have sent my hubby’s old jacket to you instead of to Goodwill!

  35. Girl. you. crack. me. up. I am from Decatur and I’ll agree, we Georgians can’t handle the snow. However, I handle getting out of work for 3 days. I’m just sayin’. Your french toast joke does it for me. I’ve been looking for a good one and I’ll be using it for the next few days. thanks!

    PS Will is super cute, but I think you know that.

  36. hahaha! We actually made sleds like that when I lived in the dorm my freshman year and we got a few inches of snow (I’m in Tx)! Those pictures of Will were so adorable I actually called my husband over to look at them. We got snow over the weekend but we don’t have any kids to play in it with so I just chased my dog around the backyard and threw snowballs at her 🙂

  38. I third that. We are hoping for spring here already. It was only fun using the snowblower the first time, now that I have done it 15 or so times I am OVER IT! I guess I should get out and PLAY in it!

  39. Me too, I live about 8 miles off the coast of Lake Michigan, hence the snow blowing 15 times already. I DREAD the words “lake effect!”

  40. I laughed out loud at the laundry basket sled. You are so resourceful… even in the strangest of circumstances! I was tempted to use the box from our new Christmas tree to push myself down our icy driveway, but then my husband reminded me that we needed it for the tree. I wish they had adult sized laundry baskets….

  42. I live in SC and we had snow a few weeks ago. Would you believe that we used a laundry basket and a rope to make a sled for our 2 year old?? I was like, “Honey! Come look!” When I saw the pictures of Will. Great minds think alike, huh? I’m recovering from having baby boy #2 last week so we didn’t play in the snow this time around. It is the most snow I have seen in my entire life though!

  43. There’s something wrong with motorcycle boots with sweats tucked in?? Oh…
    I must admit, we don’t get a lot of snow here in the Texas Panhandle, but when we do get snow, it’s usually A LOT of it. But it’s really cold during the winter, so luckily we all have heavy-duty coats and gloves and what not.
    I love the redneck sled. I’ll have to remember that for some day down the line.
    Happy snow day!

  44. Looks like you guys had a great time! I live in Midtown Atlanta and we had 4 inches plus and inch of ice, looks like a winter wonderland and shut down the city! Thought we lived in the south to avoid this! I have to say that I have enjoyed the snow days though. A rare treasure to us southerners!

  45. Oh my! Will’s ‘take me home’ face is the cutest thing ever! I loved all of the pics, but especially that one. You’re right, definitely worth taking out the camera- I’m sure he’ll appreciate you whipping out pictures like these when he brings his first girlfriend home 🙂

  47. I’m coming out of creeper hiding to say hello…I’ve been following your blog for awhile & decided to start one of my own. ADORABLE photos of your “redneck” snow day with Will 🙂 We got a few inches last night but didn’t have nearly as much fun as you guys!

  49. So, so, so, so CUTE. What a great memory you made today. Thanks for letting us share in it. By the way, love the laundry basket because we’ve done similar stuff with big green trash bags.

  50. This might be my fave Bower Family post ever. Love the snow day adventures & the laundry basket sled 🙂

  51. great snow day photos.
    The snow you received just reached us up in the northeast. We never got around to purchasing a sled and have found that they are sold out. Might have to try your laundry basket idea- hopefully it will work with a toddler.

  52. hahaha. I love it!! We probably would have done the same thing had it snowed in FL. But we all know that’s not going to happen.

  53. This post is too cute! I’ve lived in NJ/DE/MD my whole life, so we’ve always had snow, some years more than others. I think snow is beautiful and fun, but even people in the Mid-Atlantic don’t know how to drive when the snow hits. I’m staying home from work today because I can’t deal with another scary commute! (My mom always says “I’m not worried about your driving, I’m worried about the other drivers hitting you.”)

    My husband and I both have more cold weather gear than necessary, including ski goggles that we wear when we shovel snow during a storm (it’s overkill). We figure it’s an opportunity to add more layers of fashion to our outfits!

    If you need snow boots, check out Land’s End or L.L. Bean. Their boots are guaranteed for life and since your feet (probably) aren’t growing, they’re worth the investment (especially since they are likely on sale now). I also love Land’s End fleece for layering and I’m sure you could still wear it in Georgia during the cold months. I’ve been rocking the same snow boots for 10 years.

  54. My husband and I are both from the snowy North, but we spent the last couple of years in South Texas where it never snows. The Army restationed us to the South this summer and we just got snow as well. It’s all very pretty, but after living in Texas we don’t own so much as a snow shovel.

    Signs we’re not in the North anymore: the local newspaper has to print directions on how to drive in the snow.

  55. How absolutely hilarious! BTW- keep your eye out for a boot called BOGS. They are awesome! We live in OH where we get real winters and these boots are a great choice. They are awesome for rain, mud, snow or just plain cold.

  56. Yay! Katie, I am a fairly new reader of Bower Power and I must say I love each and every post that you write. You have a new fan way up here in Massachusetts! Your blog is so fun, lighthearted, and very informative to a newly married, home-ownin’ gal like myself. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with the world!

    Since I’m a teacher, I earned myself a snow day today, too! It’s only 8:55AM and we’re already up to 13 inches of white stuff! I’m about to embark on “Project Snow Shovel #1”, but before I do, I thought I’d ask you for a photography tip.. or 2! I own a Canon Rebel xTI and wondered if you had any hints on how you took such great photos in the snow. Do you use a certain mode on your digital camera for such clarity or just play around in Photoshop afterward? I am by no means a photographer, but it’s become more and more of a passionate hobby of mine. You photos are fantastic! I’d like to take a snowy walk today and try to capture the landscapes as vibrantly as you. 🙂 Thank you! Enjoy you snowy day and be safe!

  57. Katie! That sled is classic!!! We here in Indiana are used to snow and sleds, but I have to say that is the best sled idea I think I’ve ever seen! Plus it comes along with however many blankets you’d like! We got another 4-5 yesterday so we feel your pain, but it’s still snowing and I’m wishing for a snow day (yea, right)!

    Thanks for sharing!

  58. Great pictures!! 🙂 We are just a little south from you guys and we got a little bit of snow but it was mostly ice and lots of it…schools were out Monday and Tuesday! My son sure enjoyed it! 🙂

  59. Haha I’m loving the Redneck Sled! Enjoy your snow! We got flurries here in North Florida the day after Christmas but nothing that’s stuck since the late 80s. Back when that happened though my father-in-law froze the road on the hill outside his house my backwashing the pool. Whoops!

  60. My husband has family in Georgia and they have pictures of someone pulling a canoe behind a truck! That’s redneck sledding at its finest.

  61. Our snow day is today! I’m all set in my snow pants….just waiting for the wee-est of the wee’s to go to nap. I can’t make snow angels and watch a 2 1/2 year old and hold an 8 month old all at the same time! Can’t wait!

  62. Hey!
    Honestly Katie, thank you so much for making me laugh today, your redneck sled is truly hilarious. You just made my day!

  63. You gotta love snow in the south. It’s pretty awesome.

    I also have to say that I LOVE Wills’ adult-mitten-ed-up hand in the picture with Jeremy. That is awesome and makes me smile.

    Snow love from NC (this time we just got ice). 🙂

  64. OMG Katie, you crack me up. I was laughing out loud reading about you getting Will all dressed and afraid he would get cold. I do the same thing, minus a few layers, since I live in Phoenix AZ and we don’t get that cold. And I love the redneck sled! Love love love it!

  65. The laundry basket sled cracked me up, and I just love Will’s expressions as he takes in his surroundings on this “adventure”!

    My family lived in Duluth, GA for a year when I was 3, and that year Georgia got hit with a storm like the one you all are having this year. I didn’t have boots or snow gear of course, so I wore my regular sneakers and my mom put Ziploc bags on my feet so I could go out and play in the snow and not get my shoes soaked. It made for some hilarious pictures, and we still talk about the year we went sledding in our backyard and built little snowmen with Ziploc bags on my feet! :o)

  69. Okay, laughed hysterically at this post. That little man of yours has the most expressive face and I just can’t get enough. Because of you, my co-workers think I’m crazy…

    Genius idea with the laundry basket by the way. Growing up in Alaska, we take things like sleds for granted. One of my earliest memories is of bouncing off a truck bumper because my brother wasn’t paying attention to where he was pulling the sled holding his little sister…come to think of it…maybe he did it on purpose…

  71. Hi Katie. I live in Douglasville and have been working from home since Monday. I ventured out on Sunday to Kroger to get the basics and when I tell you that store was ransacked! Not a gallon of milk to be found! I had to buy my 4 year old girl little bottles of strawberry milk which she is enjoying, but geesh. I’m originally from upstate NY, so the snowfall isn’t much here, but you are right when you say Georgia isn’t prepared for this type of weather. I live at the bottom of a hill and if I had a nickel for everytime I saw a car or truck or van slide right back down it, I’d be a rich woman!!! Love the pics! Will is the bees knees. Stay warm!!!

  74. That picture of Will in the laundry basket/sled just made me laugh out loud! I LOVE it – now that is creativity. What a great way to create sweet family memories – good for you guys!

  75. I will fourth that! We were longing for spring a week ago. My kids are tired of walking in the snow to school. It litterally is 4 houses down the street (flat- no hills). Someday it will be a great stroy for them to tell their kids & grandkids. I am tired of scraping the drive and the street when the plow comes through.

    I grew up in Nashville and totally get the ‘we closed schools just incase.’ Then the whole town shops for bread, milk & eggs. Then everything shuts down. No longer, in towns where snow is a regular occurance, it takes a lot of snow and negative temps to start to have an impact.

    Enjoy! I think Will had fun, you and your boyfriend looked like you were, so I am sure he did. You should get a sled and some winterish clothes for these just incase times. We had a sled hanging in the garage and once every few years we actually got to use it!

  76. Oh, Katie Bower, I laugh at your 6 inches of snow. I do enjoy that you enjoy snow so much, though. People up here (Western NY) HATE snow. I find I still get a childlike amusement out of it even though I’m 25. 🙂

    Keep playing in the snow and forget about the people who don’t like your laundry basket sled – I’ve used worse.

    Much love,
    Emily

  77. cahhhh-yute!
    we got snow here too on Lookout mtn- 10 inches! School canceled all week the roads are so bad 🙂 yahoooooo
    && we also redneck sledded- tied 3 discs to the back of a four wheeler! SO FUN! when he’s older, definently try that!

  80. What a great memory that you will never forget with those pictures. You reminded me of how I used to take my little brother (10 years younger) bundle him up and put him in a turkey pan when he was a baby. I tied a rope to the turkey pan and ran around our yard. Every time I stopped he’d scream and cry. I was pretty much dead by the time my mom got home and she was laughing so hard!

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