How cold is it?

When the idea of moving to Kyiv was presented to us, part of our evaluation included considering the climate.  I quickly added Kyiv to my list of Yahoo Weather cities tracked & found it most closely followed......home sweet home - Chicago!

And while most would agree, Chicago is not exactly a weather paradise, Logan & I were both able to bike through the winter last year....




Then, after moving here, November temperatures were 'record lows', tracking closer to....Minnesota!

Yes - that is Alex skating with Gramps!  2002 was the last time I have record of us spending a winter at Blanche Lake (could that really be true?).   Hmmm, maybe there is a reason for that....!





To make matters worse, we recently came back from a weekend away to find our front yard had disappeared.....

....and our icicles just keep growing - now almost the length of our kitchen window.

If only it stopped there.......


Yesterday, our friend Doug sent a headline he saw in the States:....

Temperatures plunged to minus 23 C (minus 10 F) in the capital Kiev and elsewhere in Ukraine as schools and kindergartens closed and authorities set up hundreds of heated tents for the homeless.

While the local schools closed, our International school sent a note boasting "thanks to creative contingency plans (buses call before you go to the stop) & an effective heating system, we would not need to 'sacrifice learning days'.....".  I'm glad my kids are too young to read these announcements....or there would have been a revolt!

So, it was time to check the weather report again.....UGH - silly cold!  
-20s...even converted to Farenheit it isn't much better...- negative teens

This week we are tracking ~30 degrees BELOW Minnesota!!!  What is up with that?!  
And, what does THAT look like?

Well, I've been having to climb in from the trunk of the car as the doors keep freezing shut....

And, we have an ice sculpture growing in our house.....

Up close, I think it kind of looks like Polar Bear claws - how appropriate!....

And a stuffed animal placed close to the window experienced the 'stick your tongue on a cold pole phenomenal'....frozen right in place!...

The bus-stop kiosk that used to sell water, can sell ice...

But, the good news is.....they do appear to take the snow removal seriously.  Construction plows were scooping the snow from the roads and carting it to who knows where.....

And, do not fret, the fabulous outfits do not hibernate just because it's a bit chilly out....we now get more fun with fur...(matching is a serious sport around here)

And sexy does not have to be sacrificed just because it's frigid....

Oh and, isn't timing everything?!  6 months ago we recruited Nana & Gramps to come babysit next week while Logan & I attend a meeting in Sri Lanka.......

...And while it is true they were both born & raised in Minnesota, I dare say, they have been fast to acclimate to Marco Island winters....

When I told my mom I felt guilty bringing them somewhere colder than the place they were 'snow-birding' away from, she replied "don't feel guilty, just know the price is going up!"  I've been stock piling scotch, happy hour foods and warm socks.....but we clearly owe them big time for this one! 

Here's to staying warm & being nice to your parents!