Snowstorm 2011 - now with photos

The kids had a snow day today. Actually, we all did, since even the college closed for the day. We probably got 10 inches, but between the hype of the media and the National Weather Service, everything in town closed proactively last night. Still, it was just as well. Our road is still not plowed out; in fact it usually isn't for up to a week or more after snowfall, regardless of how little or how much snow we get. On the other hand, as Jeremy pointed out, the buses have been running up and down the main street all day. So, apparently, it is possible to get around town, if we all tried.

But, a snow day is still a fun change of pace for all. The kids even managed to sleep in nearly 30 minutes extra, which is unusual for them on a non-school day. I made strawberry shortcake for breakfast, just because I could. We all lazed about for a while before getting dressed and on with our day. I did eventually send the kids to get dressed, however, and I found it amusing what they each considered to be appropriate snowday attire.

James, age 9, went for the comfy sweats. He did accessorize carefully, though, with a black cape from the dress-up box. It helped a lot with the sword fights that he and John had all day long. Margaret, age 6, left her planned school clothes on the floor where she had laid them out the night before, and instead picked out one of her fanciest dresses - velvet and lace and bows. Very good underlayment to her snowpants for outside play today. Perhaps more practical than 3-year-old John's choice, though. He wore only underwear and a pair of Star Wars/Clone Wars boxer shorts. When I objected, he added a short-sleeve Star Wars t-shirt, but that got wet when he was out playing in the snow and he never replaced it, preferring the bare-chested look.

Regardless of differing fashion sense, all three went out to help Dad shovel the drive. Jeremy was at it for over 2 hours. The kids helped for varying degrees of time and assistance. I took the easy way out and didn't help at all. I figure I won't get too many chances to use my current excuse of being 39 weeks pregnant. Besides, in case the effort put me into labor, I wanted to wait until after we had our driveway cleared so that I could get to the hospital without waiting for the bus.

Now, it is mid-afternoon, the snow has stopped completely, the sun is out (really! the sun!) and it is a dazzlingly beautiful winter afternoon. Other than the snow piled 3-4 feet high in our front yard banks and drifts, you would never know the media were predicting snowpocalypse just 24 hours ago.