You get a snow day that you wished for.
Yesterday, the snow began falling first thing in the morning. It snowed pretty heavy all day long and by evening 8 inches of snow had accumulated. We were celebrating Joey's birthday and although the drive was slow the roads were manageable yet slushy.
Ava came home and put her pajamas on inside out and told me that Aunt Lizzie had told her that's how you wish for a snow day.
This morning after a long night of below zero temperatures that manageability had changed. Roads were slick and covered with ice on top of snow. Schools were closed.
The kids slept in and I enjoyed my morning getting things accomplished. I was a little fretful that the snow plow company I had contracted in October had forgotten about me...I heard him plowing the neighbor's driveway at 4am and when I woke up at 5:30pm my driveway still looked like the frozen tundra of blowing and drifting snow.
The kids started begging to go outside and play in the snow at 8am. I checked my kitchen thermometer and the outside reading was 7 degrees. Now way...mom doesn't go out in single digits. We accomplished some of our Christmas tasks of wrapping and card making. We finished our chores of laundry and cleaning.
By lunchtime the temperature had doubled and was almost 17 degrees. I had to clear the driveway in order to leave by 3:30pm so out we trekked at 1pm. What an ordeal to get everyone bundled up in their snow gear. I was sure they wouldn't last outside long.
I grabbed the camera and managed to take 6 pictures before my fingers nearly froze and I had to set aside the camera and put my gloves on. I started diligently working on the sidewalks and then the driveway...shovel full by shovel full. I was breaking a sweat, no cardio workout needed today. I could hear the kids laughing and playing on the hill in the backyard.
An hour passed quickly and I was almost done with the driveway when Q wandered over and looked at me with his bright red cheeks. "Mom, I don't think I'm ready for the snow". I replied, "me neither buddy, me neither". He decided to sit int he garage for a bit and warm up. After 10 minutes he decided being in the house was more his style. 15 minutes later Ava came to me crying....by now, my back was hurting and I was slowly chiseling away at the ice barricade that the street crew had left me at the end of my driveway.
Ava was covered in snow, no longer wearing a hat, with icicles dangling from her hair. Apparently, Sophia had thrown snow in her face AND sat on her in the snow. She was done. She stripped down in the garage and I instructed her to take off any wet layers and dry off in the house.
I finished the driveway, as much as I could do. I tried to make a snow man with Isabella and Sophia (too cold to pack the snow) and I slip down the hill in the backyard on my butt. i was done. I went in the house. Shocked that it was over 2 hours since I started. When I got inside Ava told me her arms and legs were hurting. I inspected the area and realized she had gotten some frostbite at the intersections of jacket and gloves and boots and pants. Her skin was white and significantly swollen. Q also had some on his legs. I ordered Isabella and Sophia in the house. Sophia's cheeks were giant white, swollen patches. Her feet also were swollen on the top...apparently snow had gotten in her boot but she was having too much fun to stop and care. Isabella was fine.
I started frostbite treatment and began hot chocolate therapy. Warming them all from the inside while they sat by the fire. That seemed to fix part of Sophia's problems and solve all of Q's problem areas.
Poor Ava, her wrists were really swollen and felt like a bee sting she said. Next stop was warm water int he bathroom. Both Ava and Sophia got warm compresses on the frostbitten areas.
In the mean time, the alternative snow plow guy calls me back and says he can finish my driveway and sidewalks. I'm still trying to get out the door to pick Rami's mom up and take her home and now I'm trying to figure out if anyone needs emergency treatment for frostbite. And, how exactly do I explain to the doctor that I'm so silly I let my kids play outside for 2 hours....
I wrap everyone up warm...threw all their jackets and hats int he dryer for a warm up and load 'em all up for the 10 minute drive to pick up Rami's mom. Two and a half hours later we returned home...my minivan has forgotten that it was "born" in Ohio. The roads were terrible and the traffic was slow.
Now, I'm making dinner, fielding phone calls and still analyzing the extent of our frostbite injuries.
Tonight, I put the kids to bed on time...Ava still has her pajama's on inside out. I think the frostbite will be ok by morning. The spots seems to be getting smaller and nothing is blistering, just still a little swollen.
Ava's praying for another snow day. I'm just praying for a happy day tomorrow.
Happy first snow day to my kids.
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