Spring in Alaska is beautiful. The days are longer - by 5 minutes or more each day! - and the sun's warmth brings a smile to your face whatever you're doing. The mountains, stark against the blue sky, are still snow covered and majestic. Birdsong fills the air. You start to hear the rivers flowing again. The trees are even beginning to bud.
Spring is also unpredictable, confusing, temperamental even. In Alaska we call this time of year "Break Up". The sun is warm enough to wear a light sweater, but if you find yourself in the shade you better have your coat and hat at the ready. The snow is melting, but there is still just so much of it on the ground and as it melts it turns to slush and then freezes overnight. Last week we were breathing a collective sigh of relief as we started to see 40°F and blacktop for the first time in six months. This morning (April 5) we woke up to fresh snow covering the cars and Derek was almost late to work because the Glenn Highway shut down after a snow-related accident. We're planning a (completely outdoors) "Welcome Spring!" party for this coming weekend, but snow is expected the rest of the week and the temps aren't going to get much above freezing.
So we can't put away the snow pants and the warm mittens quite yet. Shoe spikes are always at the ready. Kids are in layers, layers, layers. We want to take walks around the neighborhood, but the slush/freeze/new snow makes using the stroller tricky. We want to walk in the woods near the house, but we post-hole if we step even an inch off the beaten path (Isaac and Derek started calling the existing and about-to-be holes on either side of the trail "booteaters". Lovely and clever, eh?).
But the sun. The warmth. The mountains. We MUST get outside. Everyday. So...this is about us doing our best. It is significantly easier with Isaac (almost 3) than it is with Autumn (just 1). We can put her in a carrier all the time, but it doesn't take long for both the wearer and the baby to wish there was a different set-up. Still, we must get outside.
And yes, we're still having the party this weekend. "They're Alaska kids!" as a friend reminded me today. They'll be fine. The adults will be fine. There will be a fire and treats and games. And we'll all wear our snow pants and warm mittens. It'll be great. :)
Here's what we've been trying:
Give them a purpose
Whether pulling a sled or searching for a moose, when Isaac feels like he has something to do or accomplish on our walks he lasts outside a lot longer. Derek also brings Isaac along while doing outside chores. Isaac helps to shovel the driveway, remove snow from the camper and various other structures in the yard, sort the recycling, hammer a nail or two on something or other. You get the idea. It keeps both of them happy and it's just so cute.
Find good snow
While the snow in lots of areas, including our own backyard, is super soft and not great for walking (especially for little legs that get swallowed up easily!), there are some great trails around us including the Mirror Lake/Edmonds Lake complex, Eagle River Nature Center, Reflections Lake, and Matanuska State Recreation Area that are either groomed or used so often by hikers and bikers that the paths are still firm enough for walking.
Pretend that snow is sand
Dig holes, bury treasure, build snow castles (and regular houses and dog houses and clubhouses) then knock them down! Oh the fun.
Find no snow
Our municipality is all about parks and we are forever grateful. Basketball courts and outdoor tracks are open. Playgrounds are still surrounded by snow, but the equipment, including slides, is often finally free of ice. The zoo is also a great place this time of year because the trails are (mostly) snow-free. And if you can't get away from the snow, make a snow-free space where your little one can play in the sun!
Find shelter
Derek built Isaac a clubhouse (because what else was he going to do while the kids and I were in California in January, right?). They get into all sorts of shenanigans out there. Our remote cabin is also an amazing place to be in the spring. Although the mushy snow can be really challenging this time of year, Derek and Isaac managed a bachelor trip out there a weekend or two ago.
Wear the right clothes
We don't want the snow to deter our kids from playing outside. For Isaac, if it's below 40°F he's still in snow pants and boots and if it's above then he's in rain pants and xtratufs. The same goes for gloves and hats - below 40°F, he and Autumn are wearing balaclavas or neck warmers and water-proof gloves. Above and they can wear a lighter hat and lighter gloves. We just bring extra gloves because we know the first (and sometimes second) pair will get wet. (FYI - Isaac finally stopped fighting gloves last winter when we got him these truck mittens. It's the little wins, right?). Autumn can't walk yet (arg!!!) so she is still in a full fleece or snow suit. And I wear her facing out in my Tula carrier or put her in the Thule backpack (now those brand names are confusing, eh?) depending on the length of our adventure.
Build a fire
Derek's cut-off date for using the fireplace is March 15. That means that in the last weeks of March he and Isaac dig out the fire pit and try to put in a trail and small area to hang out around it. I'll come back to post pictures after the get together this weekend. :)
Get out with friends
No explanation needed.
So how about you? What do you do to get outside with your kids when the weather can't make up its mind? Please share ideas in the comments, and as always, feel free to get in touch anytime! See you out there!
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