It’s my first snow day! Oh, how I dreamed of sledding, snow angels, snowball fights, hot cocoa, laughter and snow cream. As a TV reporter, I watched other families create these winter memories that seem to be plucked out of a Hallmark movie. Those 18 plus hour days bundled up along a roadside reporting on dangerous roads and freezing weather conditions never knowing when or where I’d sleep left little time for the what-ifs. But honestly, I thought snow days at home with my family would be a little more glamorous.
12 hours into my first snow day, and I want out!
??? am
Imagine waking up to a superhero mermaid clown shoving pom poms in your face. I did. No wonder people are terrified of clowns. “Mommy, Daddy is gone. He got a text and went to work.” Too tired to notice what time it was.
10 am
Daddy returns home to take a seat alongside roughly two dozen dolls and stuffed animals for a much talked about show.
11 am
Show still in progress, and no sign of snow.
12 pm
Lunch with Barbie, Ken, and Elsa who still hasn’t brought any snow. Daddy is attempting working from home. Ha! (What you can’t see in the picture or in person- our floor. It’s already covered in toys.)
1 pm
Snow!!! Squint… can you see it?Still underwhelming from the front windows. Those looks of bewilderment? “Mommy, a boy ran by with his pajamas on. He wasn’t dressed.” Ummm…. have you looked at your sister recently?
2 pm
Nap time and a few minutes away from our first BIG cry of the day. This may have been when little sister mixed up the playdough colors or perhaps when big sister wouldn’t let little sister down the stairs.
3 pm
A nap sounds like the best idea all day.
3:07 pm
“HEY, MOMMY!” The next few hours were spent sleeping after I bribed the girls into taking a nap with a cupcake. Not my finest hour. But it worked.
5 pm
School work! Time to do a little research and finish a project on leopards.
6 pm
7 pm
Calls coming in about no school, no work. This tired mom who has refereed countless fights, wiped tears, witnessed her clean home destroyed and lost any battle for little girls to brush teeth, comb hair and get dressed wants to collapse on the floor and cry. Well, at least the naked child finally put on a Belle gown. “Don’t worry, Mommy. You can play with me tomorrow.”
8 pm
Sending out notifications about another winter weather day
9 pm
It’s bedtime but little girls keep wondering downstairs. This kid behind the milk carton is upset because her sister told her that her breath smells. Yep, that happens when you don’t brush your teeth.
10 pm
Kids are asleep. Time to wine down… wait?! We have bread and milk but no wine.
11 pm
Finally, get a moment of peace and quiet to walk outside on this snow day. “If you get lost in the white out conditions, I’ll come find you,” says my husband. Glad someone still has a sense of humor
12 am
It’s time for this mom to log some sleep before another Alabama snow day.
Honora
I left a career in TV news for more time with my two pint-sized blessings and to become a blessing to someone else. It's our messy, beautiful journey.
