Sledding and Hot Chocolate

Monday, (nearly a week ago now!) we had just enough sleety slush that the kids could use their Christmas sleds. Man! We had SO MUCH FUN! The ice on the grass was just right and the mini-hill between our driveway and our neighbor's yard was just long enough. The boys would carefully balance their sleds at the "top" of the hill, then take a good, long running start. . . flinging themselves onto the sleds and careening across the grass. It was hysterical. Rhyle, especially. He could not get the hang of landing on the sled while continuing his forward motion. The result was repeated wipeouts, with the sled taking off and Rhyle ending up somewhere behind it (with great force from that long run!). It was delightful.

Of course, Livia had to have many turns, and she preferred riding solo to sharing with the boys. "Gan! Gan!" she would say. ("Again!") Nevermind that her pants were soaked through and her fingers were cold. She loved it.

Finally, I decided we best go in to use the restroom, have a snack, and get warmed up. My back was turned while I put Livia's car away in the garage. (Just a quick rabbit-trail and praise to God: this is the "Cozy Coupe" plastic car that I think Livvi has coveted for a year. We almost got her one for Christmas. . . but they are over $50! I kept thinking I'd find one at a garage sale, but honestly. . . I don't really go to garage sales. SO. . . I noticed one in our neighbor's backyard. They were moving, so I asked. And God, through them, GAVE us a Cozy Coupe of our own. Truly wonderful; ask any of my kids.)

Anyway, I heard crying. It was Owen, which surprised me, given all of Rhyle's violent episodes falling off of his sled. "What?!" I cried out to him. "Are you okay?"

"I fell off my sled in the snow," he cried. "And I'm all cold and wet!"

I'm horrible. Thinking that he was crying because it was (nearly) his first time getting really cold and wet in the snow, knowing how unpleasant it is to have snow down your neck. . . I laughed.

Then he came closer. . . . and I saw that not only had he fallen off of his sled. . . He had fallen FACE FIRST. So he was cold and wet AND bloody. With tiny scratches all over his face and a bruise or two, as well. And I had laughed!

Well, we went inside to clean up, warm up, eat up, etc. While we were still at the door unbundling everyone the topic of hot chocolate came up.

"Can we have hot chocolate?" Rhyle asked.
"hmmm." I pondered.

"I NEED hot chocolate!" Owen said.
"Why?" asked Rhyle.

"I NEED hot chocolate right now!" Owen whined (cold and bloody).
"Why?" Rhyle asked again. "Is it for your face?"