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Community Corner

'Snow Wonder I'm Grumpy

What happened to the lazy snow days of my youth?

Did it snow a little in your end of town the other day? Yeah, mine too.  Let me tell you guys, the only thing I really do not like about living in NJ is snow. And that’s not specific to NJ, obviously. I’d hate snow regardless of what snowy state I lived in. 

I didn’t like to go out in the snow when I was a kid, and I certainly don’t like it any more as an adult.

My husband skis. He tried to get me to go skiing a few times. Once, I did make it all the way up to Mountain Creek with him, but never made it down a slope. Didn’t even bother renting skis. They had a fireplace and hot chocolate. I was good. 

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My girls have inherited the outdoorsy bug from their father. Heaven help me. In the summer, we camp, and I am a good sport about sleeping in tents and smacking mosquitos. In the spring and fall we hike and I’m just fine with sore muscles, and skinned knees. I’ve even been known to jump in a canoe. As long as I don’t have to paddle much. But I draw the line at anything having to do with me being outside in the winter. Especially when there is snow or ice involved.

So when it snows, and my kids are chomping at the bit to head out of doors and do snowy things, I turn on the TV. When the TV loses their interest, which happens way too quickly for my tastes, I bring out the board games. When the board games get boring, I finally give in and suit them up.

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Snow pants, snow boots, mittens, hats, scarves, coats....are there even children under there? I figure out where they’re going to play (most often in our side yard) and set myself up near the facing window, with my computer, or some knitting and a nice hot cup of tea. 

No. I am not going out to play with them. Let them freeze their faces off if that’s what floats their boats. Not me.

Invariably, as happened on Wednesday, Joey, the older girl, comes in and proclaims it “too cold” to play outside. She strips her outer gear off as she walks through the house. Hello, mop. 

I then have to find my hiking boots (because I don’t own snow boots. Because I don’t like to be outside in the snow. Did you catch that?) and strap them on, and tramp out to the yard to pull the three year old in. I try asking. Then I try cajoling and bribery with hot cocoa. When that doesn’t work, I resort to “Kimmie, mommy is FREEZING. Get your butt in the house.” When that ALSO doesn’t work, I pick her up and drag her kicking and screaming through the snow, to the house. Sometimes I fall.  Then I’m extra cold.

I strip her down while she cries that she wasn’t done playing. I switch on the TV again, and make that hot cocoa. It keeps them occupied for about five minutes. 

Snow days are hard. They interrupt the natural flow of my week. It wouldn’t be a bad thing if I liked snow. We could do snowy things like sledding and skiing and snowball fights!  But I’d rather drive bamboo shoots under my nails.

So instead I try to keep my kids occupied, I try to get some work done, I try to stay sane. And I completely give up on keeping my house clean. I’ll clean it tomorrow. 

I am so looking forward to the types of snow days I loved when I was younger. I’m guessing I’ve got another five years or so. Then Joey will be 10 and Kimmie will be 8, and when it snows, maybe they’ll be like I was. They’ll find out there’s no school, roll over and go back to sleep. And then, when they do wake up, they’ll stay in bed, all cuddled up with a book. When they venture from their beds, it will be in warm slippers and comfy sweats, and they’ll have some warm yummy comfort food, before returning to their book. Or maybe watch a movie. 

Doesn’t that just sound like your ideal picture of a snow day? Well, it totally sounds like mine. In fact, I’m getting a little dreamy eyed, just thinking about it. 

Maybe I should take a snow day. Except, without the snow.  Anyone want to babysit? 

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