*{LeT It sNoW}*

It's official, people! We had our first Snow Day in a looooong time as of yesterday. Jack Frost decided to continue the fun into today, and schools are closed again due to the ice from last night's freeze.

During this stage of my life, Snow Days come with a mixed reaction. My friends with school-aged kids look forward to the extra sleeping-in hours that a Snow Day brings. My little snowbunnies rise at 7:30 am on the dot each day. Their internal clocks do not seem to have a snooze button. Starting a month or two ago, Michaela Byrd learned to play quietly by herself in her crib until she tires of her stuffed animals. I should mention that I was completely taken aback by this phenomenon when I first experienced it.

The first time I walked into her room and saw her in the dim glow of the nightlight, sitting up and calmly talking to her stuffed hippo, my mouth fell open a little bit. Her older sister has always awakened with as much gusto as she can muster. Before she could speak, Natalie would just wail at the top of her lungs until I came in to get her and then she'd be all smiles. When she learned to talk, I'd hear, "Mama, hiiiii.........Hiiiiiiiii, Mama!" over and over as I put the finishing touches on my make-up in the adjacent bathroom. She does have a rare day of sleeping until 8:15, but little good that does me as Miss Rise and Shine in the other bedroom is always ready to go at 7:30. No sleeping in here. All I have now are memories of the Snow Days days from when I used to "work" full-time ("work" is in quotations because while at the time it felt like work, it paled in comparison to the 24-7 gig I got myself into 3 years ago). Sleeping in, catching up on housework, reading a book (!!!), relaxing.

The girls really seemed to enjoy the snow (well, Natalie did...Michaela Byrd just looked flabbergasted), but bundling them all up for a few minutes outdoors is an insurmountable job! They both looked like Randy in A Christmas Story (best Christmas movie ever!), Ralphie's kid brother who "looks like a tick about to pop" and shouts, "I can't put my arms down!" I didn't buy snowsuits or boots this year because it didn't snow last year! Luckily, Natalie was able to fit into her old snowsuit with no problems, and Michaela Byrd wore layers. Lots of layers.

I love the quiet in the neighborhood after a snow. I imagine my neighbors inside their houses, sitting by the fire with a good book and a good cup of coffee. Except that in my neighborhood they are probably watching Dr. Phil and sipping some Natty Light.

We didn't stay out long because Michaela Byrd still refuses to walk, but it was long enough for the girls to enjoy the crunchy blanket of snow that God sent. Maybe He knows when we need a day to slow down and stay home?

{Emma Woodhouse} Mush, Mush! Too bad she only weighs 10 pounds. She'd make a great sled dog!

The view from down the street.

If I tell them that Michaela threw this snowball, they'll totally believe me.

I totally threw that snowball. By the way, I need a tissue.