Snow days.

I stayed home from school today. I got a snow day. For the past 30 plus years, snow days have been for the kids, not for me. I remember them when I was a kid - a lot more than 30 years ago. We didn't have as many snow days as you might think, considering the amount of snowy days we had. Sometimes it was a little treacherous getting to school. Our house was at the bottom of the dead end hill, and the school, or course, was a little ways past the top of the dead end hill. I remember mornings when I would take a few steps up the icy hill only to slide a few feet back down. At some point they added a rail to the side of the hill, which was nice, as long as you were wearing mittens so your hands wouldn't stick to it. While the rail helped with walking up and down the hill - it became a hazard when you were sledding. My little brother became an example of the dangers imposed by the rail when he sledded down and hit his head on it. My older brother found him lying there at the bottom of the hill in the snow with his head cracked open and drove him to the town doctor for stitches. I can't blame the rail. To be honest, I'm not sure anyone in the family can accurately count the number of times Joel cracked his head open and had to have stitches.

Snow days were for sleeping in while the snow made itself known by the soft white glow that illuminated your bedroom through the window at dawn. You can hear the quiet of the snow falling softly outside if you listen carefully. I remember getting out of bed and having toast with hot cocoa, happily anticipating a fun day in the snow. We bundled up in our snow suits and headed outside to find our sleds or inner tubes, or even a garbage can lid if need be. Our front yard was surrounded by lilac bushes - the only thing separating us from the dead end hill. The bushes held the snow in almost like one of those big bouncy castles they make now, creating the perfect place for snow angels, snowmen and snow forts.  I miss those days.

When my kids were little my mom still lived at the bottom of the dead end hill and that is where they learned to sled. They also built forts and snowmen in the same yard I had enjoyed as a child. Later mom had to sell the house, and my kids got older, but they still built snowmen when they visited their Grandma Rose. I'm sure they still would if they were there at the right time.

Anna and Noah with one of many snowmen. I love their playfulness.

Noah and Anna with their "snow crocodile."

Even at our house in Kennewick, snow days were special - the only difference was I was the one making the breakfast and bundling up the kids. (or not bundling them up, as you can see by the picture) We didn't have a dead end hill - or any hill really - for sledding, but my kids surpassed me with their snow creations. I remember wishing I could have snow days too, but I usually had to go to work while the kids enjoyed their days off.

Me with the "snow croc"

Now I'm a student and I get snow days. I can hear it falling outside right now, but it is not falling softly, it sounds like a rain stick. It is pretty as long as you don't have to go anywhere on the slick roads and sidewalks. I did bundle up and go outside today, but I was shoveling instead of playing. If my kids were here I might be persuaded to build a snow man, or ice man, as the case may be.


I admit, I was hoping for snow and I was happy to see it. I don't like a winter with no snow, but I know not everyone shares my opinion.  I do hope it will stop freezing and the roads can be safe again soon.

But since I don't have school, I'm going to enjoy it. 

Happy Snow Day!