Is the class half full or half empty?

For the last two days I have had 15 kids in my class. I haven't decided whether I LOVE it or if it just depresses me more. 15 is the perfect size for 5,6, and 7 year olds. I can actually work with them one-on-one with their reading and writing, the overall stress level of the class goes WAY down, we have more fun, act a little goofier, and the enviroment is so happy. On the other hand, I know they'll all get un-sick and come back and I'll be a little wiser as to what it "could be" in the perfect world. Either way, I'm enjoying it right now while it's here. Today we made Valentine's/Thank You cards for a soldier in Iraq. They kids got so excited and worked their little hearts out. I took a picture of each of them to put on the envelopes and every single one thought it appropriate to solute the camera. Too cute. They, of course, all want to grow up to be soldiers now -- ah the innocence of youth.

It's snowing again. I know, I know, shocking. 7th snow storm (and this was a two-parter, some yesterday, stop, some today, still going) in 7 weeks. Blah. I like snow, but this is a little much. I was trying to be super optimistic on the way to work today and admired the beauty of all of the white. It was gorgeous with the orange and red sunrise behind a sea of white. It snowed a little yesterday but melted off enough on the plowed/shoveled spots that it was just wet this morning. Enter part deux of the storm and now there is a lovely sheet of solid ice under the newly falling snow. Roads were sketchy on the way home at 3 -- had to get Turbo to the vet for his routine shots -- roads were even sketchier at 4:30. Most cars/trucks (I love laughing at the "big bad" trucks in the snow -- haha, you can't go anywhere) were sliding and losing traction all over the place. The Element plowed through in its usual graceful 4WD style and we made it safely home. I'm absolutely not looking forward to the commute in the morning and Chris and I are both hoping it magically melts off before 3 pm tomorrow so we can go on our little weekend trip together (CHRIS: It will, magically, don't stress). We'll see. It could go either way.

On the subject of optimism and snow, I've been trying to decide what the up-side is to these incredible 7 straight snow storm weekends. Well. Hmmm... There has to be one or two out there. Here's what I've come up with:

1) Our (as in mostly Chris's) shoveling muscles are AWESOME this year.
2) Next year, we will be able to look back and say "well, at least it's not as crappy as last year"
3) I've gotten a lot more comfortable driving in the snow. I no longer think I'm going to flip over and die every time there is a flake on the ground -- that's a paranoia that started in 2000 -- only took 6 years to start to get over.
4) We got a heated blanket for our bed, Chris got a snow bike, and we got a 4WD vehicle -- all of which have definetly earned their keep this season.
5) Netflix has earned its keep this season too -- we've watched a lot of movies.
6) Driving down our street has been like some sweet off road expedition -- if you concentrate really hard you can imagine yourself driving somewhere else, up a rock in Moab, up a glacier in Antarctica, or in a fun world where cars' paths are controlled by bumpers like in bowling...

Anyone got anything else? If this snow sidelines our weekend, Chris and I are going to need some serious pick me up comments to read (CHRIS: Which it won't, don't worry). Let's think of more fun reasons why it is AWESOME that we have a crap load of snow and the high tomorrow is supposed to be 10. Hmmm?