March Fools

Rats. My computer wouldn't upload pictures yesterday, so I wasn't able to post these until today. I am so ready for spring I could scream, but obviously, this is what the first day of March brought. And it was so beautiful and so much fun for the boys that I can't really complain.

I swear. We are going to stop buying our kids toys and just wrap up some sticks that they find in the woods for Christmas. I have never seen kids who were so into sticks and rocks and dirt. I guess that's what I get for coming from an all-girl family.
My poor, sweet little Matthew in his girlie pink boots. He is so flexible in being willing to wear them. Here's the story: we were expecting our first "snow" (such a strong word for what we typically get around here...I typically just think of it as "white dirt") while Alan was out of work. Literally every penny was going for the essentials or other ways to save us money (i.e. refinancing our home). Snow boots weren't high on the priority list when a) "white dirt" does not require high leg coverage, and b) I like to eat. My sweet sister passed on these pinkies that her youngest had outgrown. Matthew was a skeptic at first. But he'd so much rather just get out in the snow that he really didn't care. That's a boy comfortable in his masculinity, right?
Oh my gracious was this ever the most beautiful snow day. We had been talking about going sledding on the hill beside the town hall in Beech Mountain, NC (did it last year...so much fun...and feet of snow to play in) this coming weekend, but now we don't need to go. Monday was so bright and crisp and SNOWY. Snow everywhere. And living in the woods like we do, the scenery was incredible. I love this snow tree picture.

Why does the girl who loves to take pictures have two children who hate to have their pictures made? Drives me crazy. Why can't they be more like The World's Most Adorable Nephew Austin (hi Shannon!) and give me that picture perfect pose and smile? Oh, well. They are perfect - of course - in every other way, so I'll throw them a little slack. Below, I had to promise Michael that he could go down to the "beach" area of the creek to play if he would let me take his picture. It's kind of like when I promise to let him play with knives if he will just scratch Mommy's back a wee bit longer.

What's not to love about a boy who tells his Mother "You make the best oakmeal ever!" and "I can see some ice stickles!" and in response to being asked if he is ready to go out in the snow, he replies "Yes, Mother Dear!" He may wipe his nose drippings on me at times and he may toot when I'm drying him off from his bath and he may give me the pout and large tears when I tell him it's too early to be up at 6:15 am, but he sure is the funniest little dinosaur-obsessed boy I've seen.

I've never seen "ice stickles" like these at our home before. This is a picture I kind of wanted to put on my Photog Blog but I'm too busy with obsessing (clearly Michael gets his obsessive tendencies from me) about my house over there. The snow is mostly melted now, and I'm sure school is back on tomorrow. So, let's bring spring along with it.