But mama- the puddle is over there!

The weather finally warmed up this week! We took a chance being far away from a toilet and walked up to the park this morning. Josie wasn't too sure about the cold or the ice or all the melting snow but she eventually caught on to the idea that we were heading to a place that had swings. Cautious as always, Josie wanted to ride in the stroller because she felt that it was safer than walking. When we made it through the final bend before the path to the park her memories from fall must have finally caught up with her and she demanded to walk to the rest of the way to the park. As it turns out, she only made it about 10 feet before asking to sit back in the stroller. Something about slipping on the ice and ending up in the splits made her reconsider. Go figure! Maybe she's missing the extra padding her diaper used to provide.

Josie has been pretty timid walking in the snow this winter. The bitter cold hasn't helped much so she hasn't had many opportunities to practice. As she bumbled around the playground she finally decided to try and make it to the top of the slide. We can tell she spends ample time around Grandma because she kept a tight grip on the hand rails and repeated the mantra "I be careful, I be safe" over and over until she reached the top. Unfortunately Josie had a tough time working through the boots, snow pants and mittens and couldn't quite get herself positioned to sit down. She ditched the slide and headed for the swings instead.

After a long time of hearing "I want to go higher mama" we finally convinced Josie to take a walk around the playground. We practiced lifting our feet high to get through the snow and then taking baby steps when we found ice. Finally the light bulb went off in her head and Josie went straight for the biggest puddle she could find. She had a good time jumping and splashing until she decided to stick her mitten in the water. Fun was over.......until she found the next big puddle.

It was an even mix of "I want to splash" and "I no wanna fall on the ice" as we headed back home from the park. It was obvious that all 3 of us are eager for warmer weather and less snow. The forecast this week seems to promise the warmth but along with that will be some rain, snow and ice. I guess you have to take the good with the bad. Hopefully spring is just around the corner and the rest of winter will fly by. Until then we'll keep the shovels handy and keep practicing the art of walking in the snow.