I didn’t grow up with these Florida winters. I grew up in New York – with the cold, snow, sleet, etc. I remember shoveling the driveway (sometimes a few times per snowfall).
WINTER MEMORIES
I remember getting all bundled up in my winter gear to go and play outside with my sister – and then the feeling of the heat hitting my cold cheeks when we finally came back inside…and my mom or dad wrestling to help me get my snow boots off.
Driving in the streets, hearing the snow and ice crackle under the tires. De-icing the locks – cleaning off the windshield! What about snow days? We definitely don’t get that down here!
WINTER IN FLORIDA
It took me a while to get used to the whole “palm trees”, warm weather concept when I first moved down here. Now, I don’t mind as much! I like to think back and compare how my childhood holidays played out as compared to my boys’. Many differences, but also many similarities.
Every year, we put up our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. Actually, the first time I ever had a real tree was down here!
We hang the stockings up, and decorate the house – it is my favorite time of the year!
FAMILY TIME
Last weekend, we decided to go to a movie and lunch with the boys. It was so nice out, so afterward we walked around the outdoor mall and couldn’t believe it was wintertime. The weather was PERFECT – the sun was out, there was a small breeze, holiday music was piped through the outdoor speakers.
We were surprised that the place wasn’t crowded, considering it was the Thanksgiving weekend – but at the same time we were thankful for the lack of a crowd. It was very peaceful.
We stumbled across an ice-skating rink and the boys begged to skate. Such an odd sight – ice skating outside in the sun! The rink was made of plastic…what a great idea!
The boys loved ice skating – G kept calling it roller skating, N made friends with one of the other fellow skaters…you could hear parents laughing when their little one slipped and slid.
As we were walking back to the car, I saw this…
I had to do a double-take…there is a car under there! AND the driver…spitting image of Santa Claus. Now you all know where he hangs out before December 25th – would you blame him!?
Where do you go to get into the holiday spirit?
Susi says
Dana, when we moved to Florida 17 years ago I never thought I’d get used to the weather. But now i love it so much and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else or having to deal with layers of clothing and shoveling snow!!! 🙂
Where is the ice skating rink?
Dana says
I hear you Susi!! 🙂 The ice skating rink is at City Place. It’s $5 for 20 minutes and they have skates for the kids and adults!