Snow Day: Kirkwood Family Crosses Fingers to No Avail

Alas. We were hoping, (I was fairly certain), in vain, for a snow day.
Snow days are the best. The holiday feeling we get, the rejoicing from the children.

First, the forecast.  Ears prick up: "SNOW?" Then, we wait. We're supposed to get snow. We wait all day. We stock up on necessities. For me, this snow "storm" sent me out for protein to cook for dinner and orange juice.

We ask one another while we're out, seemingly, and probably mostly uninterested, "Ready for the snow?"

"Yes! Of course," we chuckle. We watch the news updates with fascination. We check status updates and comment on Facebook. And we get...(holding our collective breaths)...not that much. Boo.

My husband and I argued Tuesday morning over how much we actually got. He said barely 1 inch, I thought 3. The ruler test on the open deck proved we were both wrong. Here in Kirkwood, our little piece of earth, we got 2 inches.

I wished we would have had a snow day Tuesday. The kids love it. We all settle in, hang out together. I like making something fun for breakfast, like pancakes.

The kids always seem to argue with one another, and with their wonderful parents, how many snow days are "built in" to the school year. "It's one!" a child insists. "It's three!" another argues. "Who cares?" says Mom.

What difference does it make? If the weather and roads are terrible enough, school will be called off.

The kids asked about who makes the final decision in calling off school. I told them, the superintendent, I was pretty certain.

The older one says, "Okay, here's what we will do...go to his house, and dump snow and water and ice all over it!"

Uh, no.

Around 9 p.m., the younger one comes into the kitchen and opens a drawer, grabbing a spoon. Here we go.

"Mom, just ignore the silly things I am about to do. It's superstitious, but I really want a snow day tomorrow."

(I do not remember doing this as a chid...but about four years ago the superstitious activities guaranteed to produce a snow day the next morning. "If I wear my pajamas inside-out and go outside on the front lawn and spin around backwards three times, we will have a snow day!" What?

Somewhat (okay, not very) sadly, I swiftly dash his hopes.

"First, it's nearly bedtime right now. Second, the snow is over. Third, they will have ALL night to clear the streets. There will be no snow day tomorrow, I can guarantee it."

I cannot say I do not find some pleasure in setting the record straight.

He put the spoon away.

I do remember the hope for a cozy free day off from classes and homework...a little escape while the snow keeps us isolated to our homes and families for a day. Maybe the building of a snowman or a spirited snowball fight. I also remember the disappointment of a school day after seeing snow fall so hard and so fast the day before.

Well, maybe next time.