I sat quietly watching the moon get dressed and listening to the snowflakes applaud each other with tiny icy "clinks" as they landed on the ground and patio furniture making soft bunkers and shapely blankets for my sleepy yard. "Rest up now," I thought. There was no traffic. There were no airplanes; just weather and night. It was soothing, beautiful and for a while I was satisfied in my insomnia. I sighed and sauntered back up to bed. Winston had stolen my pillow and frumped as I wedged it back and snuggled under the covers. I dreamt in midnight blue.
The color that woke me was "snow-day white" and it has the sound of a blind being yanked open by its cord followed by a ten year old's "EEEeeeeeeeeeee!" Wow. Sony should market that sucker. It destroys all desire for a SNOOZE.
My daughter came zooming into my room half dressed with gloves, a hat, her parka, jammie bottoms and toe socks; none of which had ANY of the same colors in them. My son was right behind her with only his snow over-alls on and this HAIR that stuck up twice as high as it was long (I swear!!!) They are "snow boarding" on top of my slippers and squealing so hard that little happy tears were sneaking out of the corners of their eyes. "Do we have to go? Is school closed? School's closed I bet. It's closed.Right?" They sing this followed by the appropriate "Uh -uh- UH's" and fanny shakes.
I wipe away the midnight blue and click on the boob tube to find the school listings. I notice on the news that virtually every PENNDOT crew has overturned or is "roving" all over the interstates. Cars and trucks are arriving at their destinations in upwards of three hours late and sideways. The newscasters are sticking rulers in the ground to demonstrate their scientific method to determining the death toll for this amazing winter blizzard in proportion to rate of snowfall. ( ?? It's snow. Relax people.) But I confirm that the bunnies will in fact be home today and by the time I can say "Yes" they are down the stairs, have eaten breakfast, done the dishes and it appears they've re -bricked my back splash. Someone answer this: How can they get ready so quickly on a Saturday morning or a snow day but I must stand on my head, scream and drag them by their hair through the gauntlet of daily routine any other time?! I've looked, but it's not in my Parenthood Manual.
I manage a piece of toast as we get the remainder of our snow gear on and head out. I am shoveling the driveway and the walks while the kids are taking that snow and putting it on the slide and around its bottom in wagon fulls. When they are done (or tired) they lug the sled up to the club house, stuff a parka'd Winston in between the two of them and ZCHOOOM! Down the slide they go squealing and shrieking with laughter. Because they put all the extra stuff at the bottom, they shoot about fifty yards back into the yard flop over. Winston is NOT amused since he now has to walk through all this mess to get to the house and glare at me. He will undoubtedly tinkle on the carpet somewhere today as punishment.
I watch them roll snowmen and get them carrots. I laugh when they throw themselves down and make snow angels, all the while eating snowballs. Reluctantly, I keep at my shovelling. I've made it across the back patio and out into the grass. Yes, I have to do this because Winston is too short and his "man toys" freeze in this winter wonderland. Then he'll tinkle on the carpet as punishment.
I hear the thunderous laughter as the rest of the neighborhood rushes to our house clad in pajamas, overcoats, shovels and sleds. There is an even ratio of boots to slippers. It is 8:10am. I would venture to guess that the first snowball was launched thirty seconds later and by 8:15 we are making up rules to snow baseball. Forget shovelling. I love snow days. I am the only one on my team but manage to score three runs before I admit defeat and frozen wrists and cheeks. I come in drenched in sweat and snow but giggling as hard as my eight year old. It makes me feel good to hear them whine "Awwwwwww" as I clap my hands and head inside. They launch one more snowball at my butt to egg me on, but I don't give in.
The game continues and it is now 11:05am. I have just called them all in; soaking wet, panting and complaining that they aren't cold. I don't know why I don't believe them. Is it the fiery red cheeks? The snotcicles? Or the clatter of tiny teeth? I just keep ushering them in and once they all get stripped down to their jammies I hand them spoons and point to the counter. The hot chocolate with marshmallows and chocolate chips is puffing happily on the counter like a train. The neighborhood snow bunnies sigh and hug their mugs. They slurp it down even though it's hot and continue to carry on, teasing each other, laughing and bragging about their game. Then straggling over to the fireplace to continue thawing, they begin to make plans for the next snow fort and sledding course. I wonder where they will get the snow they need as I look out the window. The yard is tracked up, gouged with shovel marks and full of angels. I smile proudly. The dryer buzzes. As if it were Christmas morning, they scramble to the laundry room. In a cloud of scarves hats and outerwear....THEY'RE OFF!!
There just isn't anything more fun, more perfect in this world than snow....today.
Be safe and thanks for warming up with me.
