The groundhog was wrong...

On Feb. 2 the groundhog predicted only two more weeks of winter. Well, February 16 has come and gone, but winter is still here. I cannot remember a time when spring really began that early. However, the past couple of days have been nice--42 degrees. The rain gutters have been filled with running water as the snow melted off the roof and it is a welcome sound. The streets are wet--it is definitely not the right time yet to wash the winter grim off the cars. So spring hasn't begun, but it has given us the hint that spring will come. It almost feels balmy outside--about 50 degrees warmer than the last 3 or 4 weeks have been.

On Monday evening, we attempted a snowman. The snow wouldn't pack. We haven't had "snowman" snow yet this winter. It's been too light and fluffy--the type of powder skiiers love in the mountains. But we were in our winter gear and didn't want to go back inside quite yet, so we played a game of fox and geese. Our circle is out beyond the pine trees. That game doesn't take long before everyone is hot and sweaty! It must be the exercise combined with the anxiousness of "not getting caught".

After going back inside we played a couple of rounds of Speed Scrabble before I mentioned that old game of Boggle. Elizabeth and Alice had never played it! We got it out, played a round, and they kept begging for more. I found I had an easier time getting to keep my words than when Ryan and Deborah were playing. I don't think we have played that game since those long school vacations in France! (When it always rained for vacation?!?)