Anatomy of a Snow Day

I was supposed to get a facial today. Instead, I got two kids at home all day because of snow and ice. (For those Northerners snickering that our one inch of snow shut down the city, you should know that the roads are excruciatingly icy, and Atlanta is also surprisingly hilly. But you can still laugh a little.) So, since the kids aren't the only ones bound to be bored by the end of the day, I thought I would document our Snow Day.

6:35 a.m.: Hey, I got an extra 20 minutes! Go to let Danny out (he's chatty, but at least he stays in his room until released), after telling Clare she has the day off. She is wide awake, but opts to lounge in bed simply because she can. She really is maturing. Meanwhile, Danny makes his first request to go outside to throw snowballs and make a snowman.

6:45 a.m.: I vow to myself to not let the kids know just how bummed I am to be stuck at home today, not getting my facial.

7:10 a.m.: While Danny watches "Charlie and Lola" in front of the fire and Clare does something with pencils in her room, I opt to take advantage of our leisurely morning and make pancakes and bacon. This will later prompt me to say, "I just make you pancakes - leave me alone for a while!" Less than an hour and my vow is shattered. Oh well.

7:40 a.m.: The kids ask again about playing in the snow. At this time, the temperature is 16 degrees, with a wind chill of 2.

8:01 a.m.: Clare defines imagination for Danny: "It's what helps you think." Yeah, like think up ways to annoy your sibling.

8:17 a.m.: Tim comes downstairs dressed for work, prompting Clare to plead with him, "Aw, please stay home from work?!" He doesn't, but he obviously appreciates the request.

8:21 a.m.: Fortunately the kids keep themselves busy for a while, with conversation like this: Danny: "How do you play it?" Clare: "Well, you need dinosaurs tied to balloons. And the fireplace on." Hey, whatever works.

9 a.m.: In a proactive move to preserve my sanity, I head to the basement for exercise. The kids follow and spend time, and energy, in the jumpy house. More gratitude flows the Schneiders' way for that gift that keeps on giving.

10:30 a.m.: Baking is an inevitable diversion. Today's offering: brownie cookies. After being excellent helpers, and licking the bowl clean, they once again go off to amuse themselves for a while...until I overhear Clare utter for the umpteenth time, "Danny, for heaven's sakes!"

11:48 a.m.: Folding laundry. What is so funny about the word "underwear," anyway? Sock fight ensues between Danny and Mommy. Possible highlight of his day.

12:20 p.m.: Soup! Soup is lunch!

12:40 p.m.: Hi, Ho! Cherry-O proves to be an excellent board game for the three of us. I notice that Danny is much more adept at recognizing printed numbers as well as counting. Sweet!

1:15 p.m.: Danny naps, Clare cleans out her art cart (finally). Liz cleans out her closet. Exciting!

3:30 p.m.: We finally venture into the snow, which proves to be disappointing in its inability to pack into snowballs or snowmen. We manage to sprinkle snow at each other and cobble together the world's tiniest snowman, then succumb to chilly fingers and head indoors.

4 p.m.: Time for hot cocoa and a warm bath, at which time the kids simply change into clean pajamas. Today was not a day for "real" clothes.

4:45 p.m.: After three more rounds of Hi, Ho! Cherry-O, the kids go off to play "Nutcracker" while they wait for Tim to come home and pizza/movie night to commence. This is not your mother's Nutcracker, but it keeps them busy.

The verdict: A surprisingly fun day that reminded me what great kids I have. And while I didn't get my facial, I'd still say my life is pretty relaxing, and definitely luxurious.