Hot Chocolate

It's snowing in Connecticut today--school was cancelled, offices are closing early (DP is on her way home now but only at 10 mph), and exaggerated estimates put us near 10". I'm just happy that the ground is covered.

Once it was really snowing, we donned our jackets and accessories, including new snow boots for the three of us, and headed out to play. DD seemed to think snow was dirty and began trying to clear everything off--my car, the playset slide, the turtle sandbox, even the deck. But she didn't get cold like last time and seemed to enjoy the challenge. Especially as falling snow quickly replaced what she cleared. DS liked playing in his playset fort and stomping in the snow. He was having trouble with his mittens, though, and kept wanting them off. Then his fingers would get cold and he'd want them on. Oh, well.

Then it was time for the best part of playing in the snow: going inside for hot chocolate! Luckily, I had just seen a recipe in Martha Stewart Living for rice milk hot chocolate (she actually uses almond, which would be great too). Though, really, the marshmallows were the best part. We sang Dora's hot chocolate song while I heated it on the stove, "bate, bate, chocolate, mix your chocolate, chocolate." And I also made popcorn.

We've got extras of both so that we can have another foray into the snow when DP gets home.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

(Lagniappe: I think I got our Christmas card picture while the kiddos were playing!)

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My Hot Chocolate

4 cups plain rice milk
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Droste Dutch-processed)
¼ cup sugar (or slightly more)
1 teaspoon cinnamon (approximately)
Pinch salt

Combine all ingredients and heat until warmed through. Serve with marshmallows. Delicious!