WARNING.

I’m in a mood.

A snarky mood.

I do not, although it may sound like I do, HATE winter. Or snow. Or cold. Winter is winter. I learned the art of getting through winter from a 20 year stint in Chicago. Winter doesn’t beat me. Yes, I’m cold. Yes, it’s gray (nothing a light box can’t help). Yes, there is snow. I get it. I’m cool with it.

But, then, there are the 2-hour delays for wind chill. And snow days.

I. Do. Not. Like. Them. Sam. I. Am!

I grew up in Northern Va., where my mom bundled us up to walk to school in 3 inches of snow, only to find the school closed. (We moved there from Albany, NY). I lived in Chicago for 20 years, and only once in 6 years of Harper being in school (pre-school to 2nd grade) do I remember ever having a snow day. I can’t even recall if it was actually a full snow day. Come to think of it, it may have been a delay. Point being, it was so uncommon, that I can’t remember.

But I’m not here to debate whether or not we should have snow days . . . so let me off the hook on that one. Walk in my shoes for a moment – I simply don’t get them. (Really, save yourself the trouble of explaining it to me. I’m going in a different direction here.)

I don’t need a snow day to create a memory with my children.

Yes, I love them.

And, it doesn’t feel like they are growing up “too fast”, and thus, I must treasure every single moment they are home.

Yes, I love them.

We are a TIGHT family. We are together a LOT. We are not over-scheduled and missing each other. We share each others burdens (Zane has been at no less than 3, 504 meetings for his sister), and we celebrate each others successes (Harper was super impressed with Zane at their karate test this week – and didn’t hesitate to tell him). We cuddle and watch endless Dr. Who and Sherlock. We laugh with each other. We fight with each other.  We love each other. We annoy each other. We fold laundry together. And make messes together. Currently there are individual hearts on each of their bedroom doors with unique things I love about each one of them. I’m adding one a day for February.

We also have amazing experiences at the theater, vacations, skiing . . . heck, today, a snow day, we simply parked ourselves at the local coffee shop where they handed us a pot of tea, some milk, and sugar, and then we proceeded to watch Sunday night’s episode of Downton Abbey.

But I have abandoned the pressurized stress (and guilt) that I must create a memory with every moment.

And especially moments with no school. Due to snow.

I work from home. My son is home-schooled. But when his sister is home from school, it’s kind of hard to make the other one do his Language Arts. Plus, my children simply do MUCH better on a schedule. And one-day-on, the next-day-off (or delayed), and then back to normal, completely messes with them. Our mojo is off. The day after a delay or snow day is a difficult one.

“Back to the routine, kids!”

Maybe some don’t understand this and are completely content taking long walks in the snow, sledding, and baking while sipping hot cocoa. That, sounds like a commercial to me. Or something the Bravermans would do. Only, they live in California. And they are fictional.

Me?

I’m all, “Enjoy the endless television, kiddos, and find something to eat. I know you say we never have “anything”, but I think that fruit has your name on it. Find. Something. To. Do.”

I am NOT their snow day cruise director.

Moms, if snow days/delays frustrate you, it’s OK. If you adore them? And can’t wait to do all sorts of neat winter things with your kiddos? That’s cool, also.

But if you need to find me?

I’ll be hiding in my room, reading a book.