It has now been exactly four years since I retired as an elementary teacher when my daughter was one year old. I still find my stomach in knots when it’s “back to school” time and I have to talk to every child I meet about his or her school experience. “Do you like your teacher this year?” I might ask an innocent first grader who was instructed not to talk to strangers. “What are you learning in school?” I ask our neighborhood kids who usually shrug me off as they run around the backyard.
But nothing tops the excitement of a snow day. Gosh, the snow days. I loved them so. I remember literally feeling such indescribable joy when I saw my district flashed on an early morning TV news screen as I nestled back in bed with my book and eventually dozed off. On the flip side, I also remember saying some not-so-kind words about our superintendent if our district was not canceled or, come on, at least delayed.
Today was a snow day for us. Let me just state for the record that snow days for me have now officially changed.
We awoke to a steady stream of beautiful, white snow falling pretty quickly and accumulating on the ground even quicker. Deeming our scheduled playdate as null and void, I declared it a SNOW DAY and set-out to make it nothing but fun at our house. Snow days are fun, by golly. And let me tell you – we were GOING TO HAVE FUN.
It was an order.
We played with Play-Dough and I tried not to mumble about how much I hate Play-Dough as I picked up every last crumb of it from the floor. Finger painting was also involved and I sang songs of praise for the new “colorless” fingerpaints that only show color on special paper. Thank you, Crayola. I love you. Unfortunately, there was not a better photo than the one above as I was too busy meeting everyone’s various craft demands and, might I add, not doing it quickly enough…
Our back patio looked like this at noon. We were going nowhere but we needed some excitement.
Amy from http://prettybabies.blogspot.com posted a recipe from one her friends (“My best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going with the girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it’s pretty serious.” So sorry. Couldn’t resist.)
It was for ice cream – made out of snow. I’m really not kidding. We did it, loved it, and were jacked for a little while over the buzz it created.
5 cups of snow
About a cup of milk (or half and half or whipping cream)
½ cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Teeny tiny dash of salt
While chillens were playing, I decided to ring up my dear hubby who texted me earlier in the day to tell me he had patients until 7 p.m. tonight. For the third night in a row. I’m used to this nutty schedule but COME ON. He confirmed that he did indeed have to stay late due to a “scheduling mistake” on his end. After a little self-talk, I peeled myself off the ceiling and got to the fun business of sweeping my floors (remember that we used Play-Dough).
Then I saw his car pull up our drive. Ornery man. Ornery, ornery, ornery…
Daddy coming home at 1:30 on a Thursday was a super-size jolt of excitement for us all but most of all to yours truly.
Solomon needed his nap but we decided to let Sawyer stay up and play with Susannah as they were having a ball. I was needing a serious break at this point so we had a “slumber party” in the living room and watched “The Little Mermaid” complete with popcorn and pink lemonade. I told ya – we were going to have fun, by golly.
What’s a snow day without actually going out and playing in the snow? 45 minutes later, after everyone was sufficiently winterized, including myself, we ventured out while Daddy shoveled the drive and sidewalk.
Sawyer loved it. (Don’t move back, Sawyer! Ellie is um…Busy…)
Susannah loved it.
Super-Stud Winter Arctic Man loved it.
Solomon hated every last minute. It could be because we don’t have any snow boots for him so we put him in Sawyer’s rain boots but come on…He’s the third baby. He’ll survive.
Heck, the Schwan’s guy even stopped by to make a delivery while we were outside. This is high-excitement stuff.
Hot chocolate and dinner…Whew, bedtime almost near.
Except then a teachable moment arose. So we had to stop and do some science. Of course.
At long last, Susannah sits sandwiched between her paci-obsessed brothers to watch their “night night” movie. Praise. The. Lord.
Here I sit now…Exhausted beyond belief with my book and my new electric blanket screaming for me to come and join them. I’m going now. I have earned it, by golly. But whoa…snow days are just a little different. Memories were made. Laughter was shared by all. But this mama is a cooked goose.
Wow, that sure looks like a lot of snow and a lot of fun :)
Visiting from Calling all Commenters (MBC).
.-= Clairity´s last blog ..of Quasimodo’s and zombies =-.
Hi Natalie,
Thought I would stop by your blog and see what you have going on. It was nice to see you at mine.
I love the snow day excitement. Your kids look like they loved it. We have buckets of snow here. I think we may need to make ice cream.
Hi, Victoria! Thanks for stopping by! I enjoy your writing and your blog is great. The snow ice cream is great – I suggest using whipping cream and have your kiddos at your table when you make it. It melts fast! Enjoy! Thanks again for visiting my blog!
Fun, fun, fun! What a beautiful family and blog. I saw you comment on SITS and wanted to stop in and say “hi’…
Thanks for reading, Gay! I appreciate your compliments…I’m not a good gauge of judging beauty in my family (a little bit biased…:)) so thanks for sharing! :)
I’m STILL laughing! That was an awesome post, and boy did it bring back the memories of when I used to make sure my kiddos had the most excellent snow days. By golly! I loved the pics and especially the Ferris Buehler’s Day Off movie quote you threw in there. Ha, ha! That movie ROCKS!
Thanks, Holly! I’m glad you got a chuckle – I love Ferris, too. Every time I talk about someone knowing someone from someone’s someone, I think of this quote. Free association of a strange mind, I guess! :) Thanks so much for stopping in!
Living in NH, we get LOTS of snow days. I’m totally going to make snow ice cream next time. Thanks for that!!! (Visiting from MBC!)
Hi, Charlene! Thanks for reading! Yes, as a NH girl, you need to make yourself some good snow ice cream…:) I would suggest whipping cream and have your kids at the table because it melts fast! Enjoy!
Stopping by from SITS. Glad you joined. You’ll have fun meeting all the SITSA’s!
Your snow day post reminds me of when I was little, with 4 older brothers & sisters, and we’d come home from skiing, crash in front of the TV and poor Mom would be in the kitchen cooking and picking up – just exhausted.
At the time I took her for granted, until I had 3 of my own. So one day, yes, one day, your kids will love you for snow days!
.-= ColleenwithMurals&More´s last blog ..DeCluttering – A New Approach =-.
I love your post…snow, kids, recipe, hubby, it has it all. Thanks, your post made me happy.
How cute your family is.
Mary
.-= Mary ´s last blog ..SENSATIONAL WOMAN SATURDAY–Leanna =-.
Natalie,
Wow! What a day. I can’t believe all that snow. We see maybe an inch and get all excited. It’s pitiful! And that snow ice cream. YUM! Very cool day. :-D
.-= Angelia Sims´s last blog ..What I’ve learned about blogging =-.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
I love the Scwan’s guy! But I Hate the snow! And of course living in the northeast we have had more than a little bit already this year already. The nicest thing about this year is that all of my kids are old enough to bundle themselves up with ( nearly) no help from me at all!
Enjoy your kids and the snow… they both will be gone before you know it!
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..Just when you think your kids don’t need you, they do! (Just don’t tell THEM!) =-.
wow, what a great post. it looks like you and your children had a great fun filled day. hope you have a great sunday..love your blog and keep up the great work that you have been doing. visiting from sits.
.-= marie´s last blog ..White Elegant Rose Scarf Pattern =-.
Thanks, Marie, for reading and stopping by! :)
Hi Natialie:
Visiting from MBC. Yes, snow days are the best! And I think it’s so cool that you make snow cream. I’ve been making that for years and years (my three daughters are now in their 20s) after having it for years and years as a child. It’s one of the things my daughter misses most after having moved to Arizona! (Well, she misses her family, too, but it’s hard to compete with snow cream.) I make mine a little different but we *love* it!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..The Saturday Post =-.
Thanks, Lisa! Yep, I’m thinking snow ice cream in Arizona just might be a little bit of a challenge but never say never! It snowed in Florida this past week…
I appreciate you stopping in – I enjoyed reading your blog, Grandma’s Briefs…Funny name! Love it!
Just stopping by from SITS! Looks like you and your family had a great time playing in the snow. Hope you and yours have a great week!
Looks like the snow we got! Love the hot chocolate shot! Too cute!
p.s. I just about me section..and just wanted to say I feel like I can so relate to you. First, I have three children (they are all girls) the 1st and 2nd are 15 months apart. The 2nd and 3rd are 18 months apart! The oldest is 4, middle 2.5 and youngest 18 months! It’s been the best and craziest time of my life.
Secondly, I am a Christian too and think it’s great that you voice your beliefs on your blog. God works through us (with His Holy Spirit) to give us wisdom, and to use our lives to minister to others.Enjoyed your blog today! :)
.-= Caroline´s last blog ..Turtles and Tiaras: A Birthday Party Idea for any Budget =-.
Fun! Making ice-cream out of snow would make snow much more tolerable!
.-= lz´s last blog ..Horder in training =-.