Careful What You Wish For

So many sunny days lately, I am losing count.

Trouble is: today's 'high' temperature is predicted to be -5 C (a balmy 23 F).  It is currently -8 C (17 F), and I am waiting for the mercury to rise before I wander outside for a five-minute walk.  Any more than that gets painful.  Tonight's low is predicted to be -16 C (3 F).  

The kids have been sledding in this godawful weather, and for some reason, they refuse to dress appropriately.  Yesterday, when they returned home freezing cold and covered in snow, we stripped them down so we could thaw them out in a warm bath.  We discovered that Z was wearing only one pair of pants, and J was wearing only one pair of sweat pants - and going commando to boot.  M and I explained the undesirability of getting frostbite, particularly on some delicate parts of the anatomy.  J has promised to wear the long underwear we purchased for him, and Z will add a second pair of pants next time.

Chestnut thinks the weather is just dandy, and has been desperately digging in the frozen mole hills, hoping for a tasty treat.  It's really funny to watch her dig and dig and dig, and then look up at us with a face completely covered in snow.  Speaking of frozen treats, one advantage to this weather:  the copious dog turds along the sidewalks and paths freeze almost instantly.  The horse dung does as well, so when Chestnut finds a pile of this doggy perfume and rolls around in it, the aroma transfer is minimal.

The sledding is pretty awesome.  There is a hill just down the block that has the perfect slope.  I think we need to buy a couple more sleds, though.  I get really impatient waiting for my turn...