Public service announcement

• Yes, ski pants ARE necessary if you want to be able to feel the fronts of your thighs after shoveling the driveway when it's 26 degrees outside.
• No, it is not a good idea to let the kid climb the ladder on her swingset while wearing fleece mittens without nonslip palms.
• Yes, it is necessary to force the kid to sit on the potty BEFORE putting on the snowsuit, even if she claims she doesn't have to go. She's wrong.
• Yes, when the toddler has an accident outside, it is preferable to dump the urine out of BOTH snowboots BEFORE you come inside.
• Yes, our outside holiday decorations will now include a snowshovel, a box of pet-safe salt, and a box of cat litter. Maybe I can make them more festive by tying bows around them ...