In Russia, our well-layered children were outside for very short periods during cold weather. I don’t know if they went outside when it snowed, but I know for certain that they didn’t play in the snow.

Bonnie and Clyde are now Alaskans, and snow is now a very big part of their life. They are not thrilled about this, and they vocalize it every time we step outside. In fact, Clyde cries every time snow touches his hands. Not because its cold, just because he hates the snow.

So, a few weeks ago, I decided that the kids needed to learn HOW to pay in the snow. I really felt that every child should play in the snow at least once. Armed with a toy shovel and a bucket, I dressed the kids in their snowsuits and forced them into the back yard.

“Look at Mommy” I said, as I shoveled snow into the pail. “See, this is SO fun!”

They both stared at me like I was nuts.

I tried again by turning the bucket over, showing the snow had retained the shape of the bucket.

“Oooohhhh”, I gushed, “isn’t that neat?”

Bonnie stated that she wanted to go inside and Clyde plastered himself against the back door.

I wasn’t going to give up. I started packing snow together, hoping that they would help me build a snowman. But, the result was that I was building a snowman while they watched me.

Finally, Bonnie spotted a broom near the shed. She ran over to it and started sweeping the snow so she could stand in a clean spot. Clyde grabbed his car and played with it in the tiny clean area that she swept for him.

“Hey guys, help Mom build a snowman!” I begged. I was still holding out hope they would play WITH the snow instead of removing it.

But, they didn’t hear me because they were so engrossed in their sweeping. I finally gave up and sat down while they swept the porch. Soon, they had a nice area to play in without the pesky snow.

While that wasn’t my overall goal when I brought them outside, it was nice to see them working together on a project. And, the next time the driveway needs to be shoveled, well, all I have to do is send them outside with a couple of brooms.