I like skiing and all, but you can only do it in winter and it's COLD outside!

Simone tried to put on a happy face. With a puppy in the house and a toddler with attitude, the weather outside plays a major factor in how the day progresses. As long as the stroller worked, even when the temperature dipped, things moved along relatively swimmingly.
Two days ago, Barrie got hit with its first real blast of winter weather. Yes, yes, Simone knows. Technically, seeing as we're still in November, it's not winter yet. Someone needs to tell that to the weather God though, because based on the thick layer of snow on the ground, it's winter in this part of Ontario.

Simone, trying not to be discouraged, put on the dog's leash. Okay, so far it was easy. Next, she put on the baby's yellow rubber boots. Oh, wait. Better put the snowpants on. It's cold. Remove boots, put on snowpants. Put on boots. Put on jacket. Offer hat to recalcitrant toddler. "No, no," screams the toddler.

Simone whips open the front door and a gale of wind flies in. The toddler makes a face but accepts the hat. And the mittens. However he refuses to board the stroller.

Simone stands there, undecided, for a few moments. Is it better to push the empty stroller or to risk being told by the short boss, "K'wee", after an extended encounter with the snow. She finally decides to go with the stroller.

The dog bounds out, perfectly thrilled with the white stuff. Until he realizes that there is nothing left but sidewalks. And he does not like to do his business on the sidewalk. That's wrong! Well, it is wrong but what are you gonna do? Everytime he thinks he's smelled a likely spot, he hops up into the snow and promptly sinks in the white fluffy stuff, thereby freezing all the body parts that might wish to spit out bodily fluids. Even when he sinks only a little, enabling him to pee, his poo crouch sinks just enough for the butt to get stuck in the snow.

In the meantime, the baby has taken ahold of Simone's hand. He walks very slowly. The dog pulls forward very hard in his search for the perfect spot. The stroller keeps bumping over snow pellets the size of a Neanderthal skull.

The baby, undeterred, says, "Eeee!"

The translation of this can either be "Elephant" or "Playground", depending on the situation. Since an elephant in the winter streets of Barrie would be more than unusual, Simone guessed that the boy wanted the playground. Why? One can only guess. The playground was as covered with snow as everywhere else.

Some intense negotiations followed, during which the dog was allowed to roam free. He took advantage of the distraction to unload everything he'd been holding back in the nicely shovelled out bus stop area.

Finally, it was agreed between Simone and the boss, that the stroller could not possibly make it through the snow. The boss would have to board the stroller, everyone would walk back to the car and Simone would drive to a playground.

Stay tuned for part 2.