The inner battles of motherhood and snow

Our last sizeable snow was followed by a subzero cold snap and when things warmed up, it promptly melted. I was left looking at dirty brown grass and feeling like a horrible mother because I didn't get my kids out to enjoy it. The pitiful soggy earth didn't last long though and I made sure to redeem myself this morning in our fresh 11 inches of winter elegance. And then I remembered why I didn't take my kids out the last time. They can't walk in boots. Their mittens keep falling off in the snow. It takes 8 hours and 15 minutes per child to put on snowpants, boots, hats, mittens, and jackets, and that's IF the second somebody doesn't carry off the contents of my heap while I'm trying to dress the first somebody. Then they're ready to come in after 3 pictures and 37 seconds of snowbank fun.