snowy days

Our snow from last week is gone now except for small patches on the north side of our house, but we bundled up and enjoyed the snow a few times before it melted away.

Liam thought the snow was perfect for scooping with his trucks.

We don't have a proper snowsuit for River since we never got one when Liam was his age. Without an older brother to take in the snow, the need just never presented itself. But now there is a big brother who wants the little brother to come out and play.

It's a good thing that big brother has two snow pants and coats, so we over-bundled River in all of the too-big gear and put one of my hats over his helmet. If anything, I think he was too warm despite the 20-something degrees outside.
Liam pushed him back and forth on the sidewalk since the snow was shallow enough that the wheels on the wagon could roll.

But then they (meaning Liam) were done and ready to come back inside for some hot chocolate.

We left the snow to Hopkins and his fluffly warm winter coat.


.....

Speaking of our cat, I think it is now as official as it can get: Coleridge, our black hunter, is gone.

Since both cats are indoor/outdoor, coming and going as they please, it was a week or so before Christmas when I realized that I hadn't seen Cole in a few days. I held on to hope that he would reappear, but I haven't seen him.

In a lot of ways, I like it better this way if I have to lose a cat. The not-knowing. I am not allowing myself to entertain the hypothetical situations too much. It's easier to simply say he's gone.

But I do miss him. He was an awesome cat.