Decembrrrrrrrr

We've reached that point in the season where the first cold snap is inevitable. The consequences of such a deathly dip in temperature is that the amount of time the kids can spend outside is expressed by the following equation:

x = Time spent dressing, y = Time spent outdoors,

y = x

Often the equation looks like this:

y = x - Time before first child needs to pee or tears have frozen on child's cheeks

Take your pick.
While dressing the kids this morning I wondered aloud why confessors bother giving penances to young mothers; isn't four sets of mitts, hats, zippers, boots and other paraphernalia enough to provide reparation for our temporal offences...
I do believe that the picture below is of Benjamin and Joseph; but I could be mistaken. They're wearing the right clothes and standing in the correct backyard, but as no exposed flesh was available at press time,I cannot say with certainty that those are two of my children. Ah, Joseph must have read my mind. At least we know who the boy on the left is.

An attempt at winter fun. I had asked Benjamin to pull Joseph around in the sled but Ben was literally imprisoned in a bank of snow.

Joseph wondering why he has no sensation in his extremities.

The first attempt at re-entry (to the house, that is).

As you can see, Benjamin wasn't trying to shirk his duties when he claimed snow paralysis.

The only one I don't have to dress. For such things, I am thankful.