TheSwirl.org

Kathryn and I take turns putting Eric to bed - usually at 8pm. On a ‘normal’ night our routine is that he gets some quiet time 30 minutes prior to bed. He has a snack (he is crazy about cheese, pretzels and dip) and then we get on with the business of getting pajamas on, brushing teeth, using the toilet,  getting the right combinations of lights turned on, playing soothing music on his CD player and reading a bed time story. Then when everything is done the other comes in for a kiss and goodnight.

The other night Eric was yawning during the bedtime story - Dr. Seuss’s One Fish, Two Fish, Blue Fish and when I hit the last page I looked down and he was out. The 1st time he has crashed enroute to sleep.

SOOOO peaceful……..

What are the essentials for a 4 year old snow hiker?

1. Your walking stick/weapon/sword/whacker. Used on real and pretend monsters. Dead branches everywhere tremble in fear.

2. Waterproof boots, because if there is water it will be walked in.

3. A hood covering a black balaclava. The balaclava makes one look like a ninja - very important to a 4 year old.

4. Mittens and warm clothes, because the walk only lasts as long as one is warm.

This morning, after our oatmeal breakfast, we decided the dogs and kid would benefit from a walk outside.  It was windy and cold, 18 degrees with a 12 mph wind yielding a wind chill of about 7 degrees.  We counted on getting in the woods and out of the wind, but with the wind coming in from the southeast we were pretty exposed during our short walk.  How cold was it?  We could watch the ice crystals forming on running water - that’s cold.