The Snowy Day

Last night was Nacho Picnic (one in our weekly series of dinners on the living room floor ... last week was Pizza Picnic). It was also Nora's very first Movie Night, with a screening of The Snowy Day. What a beautiful, sweet film for little kids ... the tale of a little boy who awakes to great piles of snow, and his walk through the wonderland. We watched it about a kajillion times. Nora, who has seen snow perhaps once in her short life, and probably doesn't remember the moment, is entranced at this idea of whirling, frozen, white stuff coming from the sky.

And then, what to our wondering eyes should appear the very next morning, but a glorious snowstorm! Nora gazed out the window ...



... and, after a hearty breakfast of "snow pancakes" (powdered sugar on top), and much hustle and bustle to unbury real snowboots and mittens, she was bundled up (note how she can't put her arms all the way down) ...



... to catch snowflakes on her tongue ...



... and brush them from her fleecy mittens ...



... and then march around the neighborhood, "making FOOTprints, mama!"



We even ventured to the playground, deserted of children, where daddy brushed the snow from the slide and let her whooooOOOOSHH! down the icy slope, catching her breathless with giggles.



With cold-teary eyes and very pink cheeks, Nora eventually declared herself ready to go home. Hot chocolate ("warrrm chock-oh-lit!") and cookies for snack? But of course.



Now, bean soup bubbles on the stove as she naps. Great Gram made it safely to the airport and is ensconced here for the holidays. We're nestled in, quiet.



(As an aside, we were so impressed with the Snowy Day DVD that we're coveting the entire Scholastic Storybook video collection -- simple, well-paced, animated versions of the best children's books. They come in various boxed sets. Ahem ... anyone looking for Christmas present ideas? Amazon has them in stock. Hee.)