Monday - 276th

I look outside and I think -- looks like January out there! It's bitter cold, but the skies are clearing and that streak of sunshine is glorious. It's what makes winters not so bad here, in the upper Midwest. Gently blue skies, clinging snow -- all so beautiful!

But slippery. Our walkway to the farmhouse has patches of ice that I cannot get rid of. I chip away some more because one child I know has a very enthusiastic gait as she saunters to the farmhouse door. These are not good days to nurse broken ankles.

My morning walk...

And our morning breakfast.

The kids arrive soon after.

It's a (remote) school day for Snowdrop and as usual, she has two of her lesson sessions here at the farmhouse. It is to be expected that some of these are more successful than others. I'd say today's classes ranked a bit low on the satisfaction scale. There was the usual scramble to get the right materials -- some we anticipated, others not so much. Instead of counting blocks, we substituted with plastic toy fruits. But it was the second session that was the real challenge.

There was a lot of fast coloring and fast cutting and fast gluing, all in the supposed companionship of a class mate. This may have been okay, but Snowdrop's mate does not engage and so the mandated conversation is... nonexistent.

Of course, this is school: sometimes tedious, but nonetheless teaching you skills -- in this case at maneuvering difficult collegial relations. Though in remote learning, you don't get to break away from the tedium to play with your pal. Snowdrop managed to get through the sessions without complaining, but I could tell she was dispirited by the day's class times.

I might add that there is a benefit from having an adult there at the sidelines: I have a chance to coach the little girl a little. To suggest that perhaps making silly faces while on screen is not a good idea. (Sometimes I'll hear her say something a wee bit testy and I'll look at her with wide eyes and she'll smile and say -- don't worry, Gogs, I muted it!)

Sparrow plays some and watches some and in general is quite the agreeable little chap...

 

... until it is time for the three of us to go out for our big outdoor play. Snowdrop had been looking forward to more farmette snow time and the sun makes this more than pleasurable, despite the deep freeze.

But for Sparrow, the burden of winter gear is just too much. He can stand...

... and he can take some steps, IF the snow isn't too deep and the ground isn't too slick. On this wintry day, that's a tough order and the little guy inevitably opts for the sled. 

And once he chooses the sled, then so does she.

And this is how Gogs winds up pushing two lugs up and down the paths of the farmette lands. It is not easy going (except for the downhill parts)! 

Okay, everyone, get off!

Snowdrop is energized by the winter romp... 

 

 

 

... and I try to do some fun sled stuff with just Sparrow to keep his spirits high, but one sharp turn causes the sled to flip and the boy to fall into a drift of snow. That pretty much puts the lid on his willingness to do anything more out there. Gaga hold me! 

It's time to take the kids home.

The sun has almost set and still, I am determined to do a cross country ski loop today. Ed unfortunately is tied up with work and so it's just me out there in our county park.

(The first thin layer of ice on Lake Waubesa)

It's nearly dark by the time I return home.

But darkness is pretty in December. The lights, inside and out are colorful, the candles -- very evocative. I put on the music of the season and wait for my cheeks to defrost from the outdoor spin on skis.