Learn to love winter with the help of a child's perspective

Given the weather we've had since mid-November, it may be difficult to believe this is the first official day of winter.

But instead of complaining about the snow, let's take a moment to celebrate its beauty - as seen through the eyes of a child.

Third-grade students from Lake in the Hills Elementary School wrote essays on what they like best about the season.

Some mentioned their love of snow. Others discussed the active pleasures of sledding and snowboarding. Still others shared their love of days off from school, shopping with family and cozy evenings by the fireplace,

One sentiment is clear, however - kids love snow.

Snow Days

by Courtney Williams

I can't wait to go outside.

The sky is sparkled with snowflakes. First of all I think the sound of winter is one of the best things.

The crunch as I walk on the icy sidewalk or the sound of snowflakes blowing in the breeze.

Woosh, Woosh, Children laughing.

Don't you love the way the snow looks. As an example it looks as if God threw down a crisp white blanket. The snowflakes look as little stars falling down from space. My yard looks like a new piece of paper. I just want to write on it with my big boots.

As you can see the sounds of winter and the way it looks are my favorite parts of the winter season.

Christmas Shopping

by Bailey Ashburn

The best thing about winter is the Christmas shopping and these are the reasons why.

To begin with, we get to go shopping with me, my Grandma and my sister Ireland. We shop at Algonquin Commons. We shop for Dad, Mom and Papa. We shop at Limited Too and Justice.

Furthermore, I also get to spend time with Grandma. We eat lunch at Burger King, well I call it King Burger. Sometimes my Grandma buys me Webkinz at my favorite stores Justice and Limited Too.

As you can see, my favorite part about winter is Christmas shopping. Remember don't be lazy and do nothing when you can go Christmas shopping.

Winter Games!

by Laura Nicole Graff

The most wonderful thing about winter is the sparkling snow dripping down my window and I'm saying WHAHOO!

Here are the reasons snow is my favorite thing about winter. To begin with I love snowmobiling. It is my favorite about winter because it is family time for me, my mom and my dad. For example, I love racing fast as the wind by myself or with a parent. I love going to Hampshire Forest and bringing hot chocolate in a little den with a fireplace all warm and cozy. Now you know from the reasons above why the gorgeous fluffy snow is my favorite thing about winter.

Snowboarding

by Peter Joseph

Some people don't like winter but I do. Have you ever went snowboarding, I have! It feels like the snow is little pieces of marshmallows when it hits your face. Also, I like doing tricks because I feel the white powder blazing through out my face. The tricks are amazing, and thrilling ... only one I can't do, it is the hardest it is the flip. Furthermore it is the best one I almost did it, but I landing like a meteor crashing to earth but I got back up and did it again and was I dreaming? No, I pinched myself to see if I was awake. I had done the flip my eyes were open like the people put glue in them.

In closing it's easy to see that snowing boarding is the best part of winter. Try it ... you will love it too.

Winter Fun

by Sarah Monaghan

Do you know how to have fun in winter, I do! Read to find out how to have fun most of all.

Snow boarding is more than fun it is super fun! The snow splashes in your face as you race as a bullet you bounce. You bounce up and down like a roller coaster. The best part is lots of laughs with my best friend Sarah beside me. Furthermore, we go inside and drink hot steaming cocoa. We take off our ice cold stuff we stay in all night by the cozy fireplace. To wrap it up you can see why I love winter and you too can like winter to have fun.

I Love Snow!

by Jasmine Shi

Have you ever seen white glittering powder in front of your eyes? I have and I think snow is the most awesome thing about winter.

To begin with, making things out of snow is one of the most fun things in winter. I could build a snow animal like a penguin with a carrot beak. Sometimes if my family has time we could use the creamy white powder to roll into a ball and stack the giant frozen snowballs up to the baby blue sky.

However, I like playing in the milky white twinkling snow, and my brother and I like to have snowball fights. Because it is fun to create balls and get hit.

You can see why snow it he best thing is the whole season.

Winter Sparkles

by Taryn Riley Sauerland

Have you ever had the guts to sled down a hill as big as a T. Rex? I have! Best of all, as you go down that soft hill that feels like a brand new pillow. You just want to lie down in the puffy snow. You make the most perfect snow angel you ever made. You imagine a melted popsicle when you're going down a slushy hill as you feel like your racing your best friend. As the shiny snow flakes fall from the dark blue sky you feel like you're in Santa's beard. You just want to have a wicked snow ball fight with your best friend in the whole wide world. Do you agree that sledding is the best thing in the world during the winter season?

Winter Surprise

by Angelica Opalinski

It's the middle of December. The first blizzard falls. I yell to my mom "No school." My mom steps outside looks around and goes back into her room. I race downstairs, snatch on my stuff and dash outside. I yell to my sister "Come outside" too late. Smash! She hit me with the pillowy snow.

Next, we lay down in the feathery snow. We gently get up. After that, me and my sister Olivia make a snowman we add the burst orange carrot. Next the secret identity hat. Last, the face and the colorful scarf.

Mom calls us in. We snuggle by the fireplace. Mom brings us hot chocolate. I look in the mug the tiny marshmallows form a snowman.

Don't you think a snow blizzard is the best thing about winter?

Snow days Rock!

by Dominique LaVigne

I wake up on a cold crisp morning. I race to the kitchen and snatch my breakfast to pop outside in the worst blizzard ever! The best thing about winter is snow days.

As I see the glisten snow in my face and hair I rejoice in the beautiful day. I grasp my coat that shines in the light, my mittens look so bright, my sparkly hat waves in the air. I yell my brothers names. "Come on out, it's so exciting!" Smack! I nail my brothers. Oh NO! They got me back.

Next I walk in the house and carefully look for snowmen supplies. I look for a carrot, a scarf, some mittens, a cute hat, some black brass buttons, etc. We roll big ball, little balls, all different sizes. I name her Mrs. Fuzzy. Afterwords we drink hot, sweet chocolate.

As you can see snow days are the best part of winter.

Winter Shivers

by Tianna Bryson

The most exciting things about winter are the glistening snow as it sparkles all around me, as the wind and snowflakes blow me away in my nice warm snow pants. As I throw fluffy white snowballs you can almost feel the winter shivers. As you play in the fluffy white snow and throw white puffy snowballs. As it glistens threw my hair it feels like wind blowing me away. These are the most exciting things about winter.

Shredding on Plote Hill

by Kaiden O'Connor

The day when there's a pack of snow I snatch my snow gear and board I ask my mom to drive me as fast as a cheetah to Plote Hill! This is the best part of winter.

I jump out the door as fast as a frog hopping on a lily pad. I leap on my magnificent board shredding down the hill longer than a giraffe's neck. I finally get down the enormous hill. As I go down for the last time I wipe out in the white powder. I ran back home and cry out "mom can you get me some hot chocolate?" Mom has hot chocolate with wee marshmallows waiting for me when I take my snow gear off.

Now it's time to call my friends. Can you think of a better way to spend a winter day?

Cold Snowy Day

by Brian Mangiameli

Have you ever woke up in your bedroom and looked out the window to see many sparkles of snow? Doesn't it make you so excited that you just want to play in it? You can just feel the cold, soft, white snow. Now you know why I love winter on a cold, snowy day. Look at it the way I see it and you will also enjoy it.