The snow crew takes it outside after expounding on a few essential truths about snow. Ricky Moore (front), Blair Flory (back left) and Lakesha Rondeau show the adults how to have fun in the snow. Snow crew members not shown: Madilynn Dei and Lesley Green. - Michele LeTourneau/NNSL photo

A short session with five fresh, young minds from Cathy James-Cutler's Grade 1 class at Weledeh Catholic school uncovers a few of snow's finer points.

What is snow, asks the adult. All five squeal and wriggle, barely able to contain themselves. "Fun!" they screech. "Snow is fun!"

And where does snow come from? The children, after a brief rolling of the eyeballs, screech in unison, "the sky!"

Lakesha Rondeau quietly assesses the situation, and understands the gravity of the moment.

The adult is taking notes. Clearly, she and her classmates are now defenders of snow. She rises to the occasion. With an unwavering gaze, she states, "You can make snowmen with snow." Her tone implies that it just doesn't get bigger than that.

Ricky Moore settles down long enough to make his own pronouncement: "We like to play with it, run in it," he says, adding with all the earnestness only a six-year-old on a mission can muster, "It melts in the grass in summer and gives the grass something to drink."

Ricky doesn't realize it, but he's provided the perfect segue to the next question. Is snow edible? Do you eat snow?

The room is still. Hyperactive muscles tense with horror. "No!," exclaims Madilynn Dei. But a brave, lone voice surfaces. Lakesha slowly bobs her head up and down. Even at this age she knows that going against the grain may have repercussions. Softly, she says, "It tastes good."

(The adult makes a note to have a taste later. It's been too long.)

Why is snow white?

Madilynn loftily replies that, silly, snow is white because it falls from the clouds, which are white.

Really, who's to say her explanation isn't just as good as the scientists', who insist that snow is white because it reflects visible sunlight and visible sunlight is white.

Minutes later, the snow crew bursts out of Weledeh, unrecognizable bundled up. The token adult, negative as usual, comments on the lack of snow so far this season.

Nonsense, insists the snow crew, there's plenty enough to have fun.