a sad thing, and a good thing.

A sad thing that happened yesterday was that the snow bear.. well, changed:

It's interesting stuff, this snow. One minute it's everywhere, magical and crisp, and gleaming in the daylight. And the next, with just a slight change in temperature, there are slushy puddles everywhere and snowbears lose their facial features. Another new thing for me is falling snow. Yesterday I learnt that huge clumps of it can slide down from the tops of trees and buildings. With apparently not much warning.

We've a lot to learn, because this is our first experience of living with snow. The town we come from in New Zealand is known for being the 'Sunshine Capital' of the country. So I'm not sure if we'll ever need all this excessive snow gear when we return home again one day. I had no idea that children needed two different kinds of gloves for snowplay- regular snow gloves, and then another, extra-waterproof pair over those?... For kindergarten, Arlo needed a special hat that is waterproof and clips around the chin. And a special type of zip-up neck warmer thing instead of a scarf. All that under his double-layer snowsuit. You can see why we've been teasing Arlo about dressing like an astronaut lately.

Something very exciting that happened yesterday (apart from snow falling on my head) was that I won Shannon's competition. Thank you Aunty Cookie! I am pretty excited about that. I don't think I've ever won anything before, and quite frankly I can't think of anything nicer to win.

Comments

[Merruli]

I'm so sorry, you had to have a not so nice encounter with snow.When there's ice with snow on roof tops and rising temperatures in the spring, you'll have to be extra cautious, then there's a risk of getting hurt with snow.

Dressing up and staying warm in Scandinavia has generally more to do with high tech-materials and layering than looking smart and fashionable. Luckilly that changes to a better direction in the summer. Well at least we have good conditions for sporting knitwear in winter months.

[Dad]

such cute snow kids. I miss them so much. Ian

[Ruth]

Congratulations on your win!

It must be such a new experience dealing with the snow.

How are you going with the grocery shopping, that was one of the hardest things for me - working out which brands to buy and what to steer clear of, and then there's the stuff not labelled in English...

[Mirre]

Dear me... I sort of missed the fact that you've moved to NORWAY!
That's such a big exciting step, especially in winter!
Good luck adjusting to our European ways :)

[Di]

I love your own little abominable snowmen! They look so cute all wrapped up! I saw that you won the competition- congratulations!!

[Suzan Steele]

Congratulations on your rightfully deserved win! Enjoy the snow - it really IS wonderful stuff. I still love to make "snow angels".

[therese / http://huldremor.sprayblogg.no]

Sorry for laughing, but that 'special type of zip-up neck warmer thing instead of a scarf' bit was hilarious. It's fun to see one's everyday, natural, obviously logical surroundings, customs etc through the eyes of foreigners.

[Jennifer]

Oh it so wonderful you are all well in Norway. I've been thinking about you on this journey. We have snow this time of year too..it is a new and different adventrue in itself..I love it. Happy Snow!!

[kimberlee]

oh climate change.
getting used to the snow will be an adventure:)
when I first moved to NZ, I had no general knowledge about the ocean. In fact, I am still waiting for a rip tide to swallow me up... if only I knew what they looked like:)

we used to wear plastic bags between our socks and snow boots, just a heads up there:)
-kimberlee

[Helen]

I can't tell you how exciting it is hearing about your new life in Norway! Please keep the photos and little details coming - it's all so interesting.

We're home now from our ramble (came home early) so do email me your address so I can start a letter.

x Helen

[mims]

have you learned the trick or running a ribbon through the sleeves of the kids jackets and sewing it to their mittens? Then they will not get lost.

snow is the best! "(when you dont have to be anywhere)

[Zelia]

oh! i used to live in Canada where i was used to snow and then moved here where there is none:(

[caireen]

we actually had the atlas out to work out if NZ was cold enough for snow, and whether this was all new to you!! the kids look like they are loving it! Our local farmers market sells his carrots marked up as 'snowman's noses' which made me laugh... can you email me your new address too? Cx

[Ali]

When I saw you'd won I gave a little cheer. Because it's extra nice getting parcels when you are someplace new.

I have to admit to feeling a bit envious of your snow without really thinking about what it means. Sort of like enjoying the rain through the window when you're inside.

[Ravenhill]

What a delightfully funny post! There are many new things to learn aren't there?! Your kids look like they are adjusting well.

The sewing machine tells me it is eager to come to your little yellow house and be put to good use.

[Chara Michele]

Oh my to the snow falling on your head! Congrats on winning Shannon's drawing:)

[Tracy]

Glad you're settling and learning to live with the snow...It will take time! LOL! And there will be more snow soon enough for a new snowman for the sweet ones to make. I don't do well with winter myself, so it's ironic that I ended up living here in Norway, Land of the Far North! Looking forward to hearing more about your adventures in your new home. Congrats on the win! Happy Days :o)

[heidi]

oh the pics of the kids are just making me giggle. how sweet are they! how long are you guys there anyway?

[taimarie]

Wow, I've been away from the blog world for awhile and it is so surprising to see your little ones covered in snow! Wishing you and you family a smooth transition and many warm and cozy winter moments. I can certainly relate to the astronaut look- my little guy walks so stiff and uncomfortable in all that gear!

[Kimberley]

Wow Melissa, your posts are really atmospheric. I can feel the snow crunching under boots, feel it seeping into mittens, smell the weight of it in branches. Awesome. K xx

[Tiel]

wow..can i just say, how hard would it be to toilet train in winter over there with all that snow gear!!!!!

glad to see you have arrived safely.

[amisha]

oh my goodness. so much snow gear! it is all pretty cute though :) the little bit of snow we've had here has melted so fast... by afternoon it was all slush, and brown city-slush at that. xox