The snow started falling early, soft and steady, and Isaac insisted we go outside so he could help shovel our sidewalk. So we bundled up, grabbed the big red shovel, and stepped into a world that was turning white by the minute.
After a few minutes he really found his rhythm and started clearing the walkway with serious focus. Snowflakes were sticking to his hood, his sleeves, and even his eyelashes, but he kept going!
As soon as Isaac saw his friends outside, he begged to go play with them. We walked over and noticed they had a sled. Since we have a little hill in our yard, the boys brought the sled over and immediately turned it into their own winter adventureland. They took turns pulling each other, sliding down, falling over, and laughing the entire time. It was the kind of pure kid joy that makes a snow day feel magical. This is why we moved here!
After a while the boys switched to snow angels. They lined up in a row, threw themselves backward into the powder, and flapped their arms and legs until the snow beneath them took shape. Watching them wiggle and laugh felt like watching childhood in its purest form.
After hours of playing outside, it was finally time for the boys to come in and warm up. My husband made hot chocolate for all of us, complete with mini marshmallows, and we gathered around the table with our steaming mugs. The boys chatted and laughed, still buzzing with excitement from their snowy adventures. Hearing the joy in their voices warmed my heart more than the cocoa ever could.
I did not take photos of their faces. Privacy matters. But I did capture what they left behind. Empty mugs, abandoned spoons, and marshmallows scattered like confetti. A tiny still life of a winter afternoon well lived.
