Well, `they` were right when they said it would snow later in the week. We woke up to about six inches of heavy, wet, wonderful snow.At least the kids think it`s wonderful. Last night, I did a quick bike ride to the store, wearing many, many layers and smelling the snow that was to come, for a few staples. And I realized just how hard these trips will be when the snow falls. (Five people can eat a LOT of food.)
Until this point, I had felt pretty virtuous about not having a car while we are here -- isn`t it healthier for us, better for the environment, allowing us to eat the freshest of produce, blah blah blah -- but last night I came home and grumbled about owning a perfectly good minivan that is just going to waste in a garage, and would it be too much to ask that we could somehow teleport it over here, just for the grocery trips? Well, for that and for taking the kids to school (if I`m being honest).
This morning, it took us almost three times as long to start getting enough clothes on to get the kids to school. And for kids who have STRONG opinions about which coats and sweaters and scarves and mittens are itchy, and which need to go in what order, well, it is an exercise that would (and did) drive even the most patient person crazy.Of course, the stroller wouldn`t go in so much heavy snow. And we were already late enough that walking was out of the question.
And so John suggested we just pull the kids in the sleds.I was not sure, but it turned out to be a perfect decision (and illustrates one of many reasons why I love my husband -- his ability to make grumpy events fun, or at least interesting). We got there on time, the kids had a blast, and while no other Japanese parents were seen pulling their kids to school in sleds (it seemed those who walked just left early enough), it worked out. Jack pulled the kids`backpacks home in the single sled, and the girls rode in the double.
The better perspective doesn`t mean I won`t be happy if it melts enough to do a big grocery trip this weekend (although John said we could just pull the groceries home)... and now that we are home, I can admit that it does look pretty.
