Yet, something changed when I went in to wake Doodlebug up because today is Tuesday, mama. On Tuesday, we have preschool. Little Missy woke up and her eyes grew so very large as she looked out the window. "Look, mama, it's snowing. Can you believe it? I watched it snow yesterday night and I can go out and play in the snow, mama. Can you believe it?" It's pretty hard to be irritated when you are graced by those shining eyes and beautiful smile. Yet I persisted, damn it! I hate the snow.
It is also impossible for almost two year old boys to sleep through such excitement and soon Baby Boo had crawled up the ladder into his sister's bed so they could both look out the window. Man, that boy's smile could melt the Grinch's heart faster than any little Who can. They could not have been any happier at that moment...until I told them Daddy was out snow-blowing the sidewalk and if we went into the living room they might be able to see him. With four little legs moving as fast as they could, we found our way to the living room. Squeals of delight filled my ears as they pushed up the blinds and saw Daddy. With snow stuck to his beard, hat, coat and gloves, he was more amazing to them than any prince on the big screen. For the next 15 minutes there was racing back and forth between the bedroom and the living room to find Daddy out the window. Then it happened, Doodlebug tried to walk away and Baby Boo grabbed her hand and pulled her back to the window. He wanted to watch for Daddy, but only with her watching too. Life is good when you have your big sister by your side. My heart really did melt at that moment. There was no hair pulling, no pushing, no whining and no squealing. Just a little brother and a big sister watching for Daddy. I can still see two little bodies facing the window holding hands. I hope I never forget that image. Snow isn't so bad, after all.
My day somehow changed and didn't seem like the drudgery that I often feel during the winter. I still put on my boots and my hoodie and my coat and my gloves to take Doodlebug to preschool, but a new thought started niggling inside my head. We could go out and play in the snow, huh, mama?
After naps and rests, we suited up. We even got 10 fingers into 9 holes in Doodlebug's gloves. (I must have a serious discussion with whoever made gloves instead of mittens for 4-year olds...this is a bad idea!) The snow was all soft and powdery and completely terrible for building snow forts. We (mostly that means I) persisted and started a snow fort. I was completely terrified of the little ones trying to climb over the edges. Not that they might get hurt, no, no, no. The soft snow wouldn't pack down and even a little of their weight would make my walls look like Stonehenge.
Daddy soon joined me in shoveling snow onto my walls while Doodlebug crawled around "building" her princess room next to my snow fort. Baby Boo had Auntie Em pulling him around on the sled like the king of the Mardi Gras parade. Finally, Daddy decided that the cheeks and noses were red enough and it was time to go in. I'm not entirely certain who was more disappointed, me or the kids. With promises of going back out tomorrow, we trudged into the warm, cozy house and de-bundled. All toes were warm and fingers were only a little cold. (I must have a discussion with the whoever made those boots, they ROCK!)
Who'd a thunk? I guess there are times when snow isn't bad.
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