Winter wonderland!

Yesterday was the first snowfall and today we have a snowfall warning! It is Saskatchewan and once it is this time of year and we have this much snow it is pretty safe to say that its here to stay for at least the next 5 months (more like 6). 
Its amusing to me to read all the facebook posts, tweets, etc from people who have lived in Saskatchewan ALL their lives. Its a shock to them to see snow on Nov 4! Yet last year we had it Oct 10th! The year before that probably around the same time! Every year we get snow some time in Oct or Nov! People forget how to drive in it and they complain about the cold and the winter gear! Yes, I do agree we have LONG winters. Last year was exceptionally bad and even I was a bit bitter come April with 6 ft of snow in my front yard - but we survived it and had a beautiful summer to follow. Then we had one of the most gorgeous falls I have ever seen and now its November and its snowing and I'm not surprised or upset! I will find winter much more enjoyable if I embrace it rather than grumble about it. 
Today my 2.5 year old son woke up, saw all the snow and said "Mommy, can we go outside?!" when the rest of the province was saying "F*ck it snowed!" After lunch my son said again "Mommy, can we go outside?" so I bundled up an went outside with him. He ate mounds of snow, ran in circles kicking up the snow, made snow angels, giggled and caught snowflakes on his tongue! Now, instead of being mad or cold I was laughing and doing all those same things and the snow didn't seem like some demon out to ruin my day but instead it seemed like a white, winter wonderland full of fun! 
I was trying to think of all the positives of winter - its very easy to say the bad stuff. Its easy to talk about the frigid weather, the bad roads, the constant shoveling, etc. But, lets think about some good things. Here is what I came up with so far:
1) Tea tastes so much better on a cold day!
2 Nothing beats cuddling up with a good book (or a baby) in front of the fireplace on a chilly day.
3) Everything looks so white and clean! 
4) My kids think winter is fun and beautiful. Their smiles make me smile.
5) A warm bed feels so nice at the end of a long winter day!
6) HOT CHOCOLATE with marshmallows! 
7) Skating!
8) Snowman building!
9) Going sledding! 
10) Shoveling may be a pain in the ass but its very good exercise and when a workout seems impossible, shoveling your way out of the house doesn't. 

11) Snow angels
12) Toques for bad hair days!
13) Cute scarves and boots! 

So instead of being bitter today! I'm thinking about Christmas and baking and spending cozy times with my family on the couch in front of my fireplace! I'm sipping tea and playing in the snow with my son!