Snow day!

I consider myself a Washingtonian through and through.  The Husband knows that I do not have the ability desire to live farther north than where we are now because I am not a fan of cold weather.  The first time he dragged me to his hometown in the Midwest, it was NEGATIVE ELEVEN DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.  Yes, you read that right.  It was stupidly cold and I, the wuss of cold weather, did not handle it well.  The Husband assured me that that was much colder than normal, but I refused to believe him.  I told him it had to be true love if I was still willing to marry him despite knowing we'd travel annually to the place I dubbed Where Cold is Manufactured and Exported to the DC Area.

Still, I do love an occasional snow storm like the one we are currently experiencing.  I think it's the former school teacher in me; I get giddy with the anticipation of having a day off work due to snow!  I enjoy waking up to the silent white world, wrapping my hands around a hot mug of tea as I sit and stare out the window at gently falling snowflakes.  Later on, if I manage to shuck off my jammies, I might go outside to brush off my car and shovel a little snow, just to make it safe.  Then back inside for hot chocolate, a warm fuzzy blanket, a good book, and a nice cozy nap.

Oh wait.  Those were the days BC (that's Before Children).  The Crew has changed the relaxing laziness of snow days.  At the first mention of this current snow-pocalypse last night, Bito and Cupcake were dancing around the front window, reporting every flake that had fallen.  They also spent an inordinate amount of time worrying about the quality, amount, and duration of the impending snow.  This morning, The Husband and I awakened to cherubic faces peering anxiously at our closed eyes.  Breakfast was an exercise in managing chaos as the kids struggled to shove enough food down their throats to satisfy Mommy and Daddy.  

After breakfast came the dressing of The Crew:  snow pants or snow bibs, extra socks, snow boots, heavy coat, mittens or gloves, and hat pulled down tightly over ears.  It's a wonder they can even move with how puffed out and restricted they are from their snow gear!  Finally, finally it is time to step out into the snow!  The Husband graciously allowed me to stay in my jammies as he escorted The Crew outside.  He shoveled, Cupcake and Bito make snow angels, and BabyMuffin wailed for someone to pick him up.  I happily snapped a few pictures and then retreated to the warmth of the living room.

Not four minutes passed before The Husband poked his head in the door, proclaiming The Crew was ready to come inside for hot chocolate.  I sighed, got off the sofa, and started boiling water for the hot chocolate.  It took twice as long to undress the kids as it did to dress them.  Now, however, there are three pairs of small boots lined up in the foyer, and three happy children picking marshmallows out of their hot chocolate mugs.

In two hours or less, we will repeat the entire frantic get-bundled-up-go-play-outside-for-a-few-minutes-return-inside-leave-wet-gear-strewn-about routine.  

I am hoping later on, The Crew will settle down enough to color, play games, read books, or watch a movie.  Maybe we'll make snow cream, bake muffins and put together that gingerbread house that's still undone.  

Regardless, I'll be glad to get them sleep tonight.  I'll be even more glad to get them back into the regular routine of school days.  These snow days exhaust me.

Original DC Metro Moms post.
Michelle blogs about life and other stuff at Wife and Mommy.