Making a Snow Family - Surprising the Children

Seeing the kid's eyes widen and their little rosy cheeked faces light up at the site of snow is incredible to a parent. It usually makes me forget how much I detest the white fluffy stuff that makes me shake in my wellies and I think about sledging, snowball fights and building snowmen instead.

However, the weekend just gone the snow arrived and I was left feeling just as cold inside as it was out. The kids were at their dad's house for the weekend and I felt disappointed that they weren't about for us to enjoy it together for the first time.

Being quite a big kid at heart I decided to put my coat on (hooded top, hat, wellies and gloves too) and head out in it anyway. I didn't want to waste the day stopping in being miserable, however tempting it was to stay warm and dry, so I thought I'd get stuck in and build the family in snow form... that even included the dog!

I ended up being outside for about 4 hours having snowball fights and chatting to passers by that thought my creations were surprisingly quite good with their pink hair (shredded paper). There's something about snow that brings people together and the idea that I was burning calories too did help! I ended up with myself (breasts included as someone suggested I should!), the Mini Mes and the poochie all standing proudly lined up outside my windows and door.

Upon the children returning at 5pm they were amazed and seeing their faces at this point, rather than first thing in the morning, made up for it completely. They giggled and smiled at their own replica and we then enjoyed making another in the back garden in the dark together and going for a wintry walk across the field.

They may not be great but 5 days on they still remain (despite melting slightly) and next time when it snows and the kids aren't about I shall definitely do similar... for the sake of them, the neighbours and my mission to lose weight!

If you're looking for other fun things to do in the cold have a look at winter activities or things to do in the snow for inspiration.

Have you have any other ideas to add to the list -  I’d love to hear your suggestions.