Things you can do: Snow T.Rex

I’ve always felt a special kinship with Calvin and his inappropriate snowmen:

So in honor of the snow and the first interview with Calvin and Hobbes creator Bill Watterson in over 20 years (I wish the Plain Dealer had asked some more interesting questions, like about the legal whatnot behind the widespread copyright infringement of the decals of Calvin peeing on various things, but I’d imagine that that was part of getting the interview), I give you: How to make a snow T.rex. Pics after the jump…

Make a little tripod out of humps of snow, and make sure they’re packed very tight because you’re going to balance a big, heavy snowball on them. 1 will be the base of the T.Rex’s tail, 2 and 3 will be its legs.

Roll yourself a big old ball of snow about 2 or 3 feet in diameter and balance it on the three humps as shown, building up drumstick-shaped legs on the sides. Pack in more snow around the sides and back so it’s less likely to fall down. Build up the top of the big ball into a short neck with a little indentation at the top, you’re going to put the head there. You can start piling some of the excess snow in front to make into big feet.

So now roll up an ovalish ball with one pointy end and one blunt end and pop that sucker on the top. Make hollows on each side for the eyes and nostrils, and scrape out a deep indentation for the mouth (make sure it’s really deep or the teeth will keep falling out, which is very annoying). Make little shoulder joints where you’re going to attach the arms.

Roll two long ovals up for the arms, and attach them to the shoulders (T.Rexes fortunately have tiny arms, so this is doable). Get your baby carrots and black beans or whatever you’re using out, and stick in the lower claws, teeth, eyes and nostrils.

Finishing touches: Make a loose ball of snow, stick three carrots in and THEN pack the snow into a tight ball, this way the hand claws won’t fall out. You can then attach the hand to the arm. If you accidentally put the hands into a Montgomery Burns “Excellent!” pose, all the better.Make a big tail coming from the back of the body, and use a stick to trace the outline of the hard-to-see parts like the feet.

OPTIONAL: If you have someone helping, you can have them make a bunch of tiny snowmen while you’re doing the big guy that can then be made to look like they are running away in terror.

Thanks to Rajiv for taking pictures and making the little guys!