Day 2: The Snow Pile

"Mom, look!" Emma cries out, her nose an inch from the window.  "They are making a new snow pile!"

With eyes glowing, Maddie asks, "Can we go play outside, Mom?"

Avery comes bounding into the room, hearing all the commotion.  She begins to jump up and down at the sight of the big, yellow snow plow. 

"Can we go make a fort?  Can we? Can we? Can we?" she shouts.

In the span of 30 seconds, the snow day went from good to magical.  The snow pile in the cul de sac is back!

This fall, we moved to a new town, a new street, a new house, all with new possibilities.  We have begun to stretch our wings and explore this new town and all it has to offer.  We have been able to spread out in the new house and find out what it feels like to not be on top of each other all the time. 

Similarly, we have begun to learn about our new street.  There is the older, retired woman who lives in the house on the hill who knows the people we bought the house from.  The one who started asking questions and created a few rumors when we brought in a small dumpster.  No, we are not removing the fireplace (say what?), we are just trying to catch up - to remove the boxes from the move that are (finally) mostly unpacked and the boxes that joined the piles from Christmas and a November birthday.  Then, there is the young window a couple houses over with the two young boys who take turns playing on the snow pile - because, of course, girls and boys can't play on the snow pile at the same time.  There is also the neighbor to the right who feels the need to shovel each time we get an inch of snow.  On the left, there is the house that sits empty because the owner is in a nursing home.  It's a quiet street and we are smack dab in the middle/back of the cul de sac. 

Each time it snows the city arrives with a plow truck.  Each time it snows we end up with a snow pile in the middle of the cul de sac.  It is a beacon for the children on the street and my kids are no different. 

There is much to be done when the snow pile arrives.  There are tunnels to dig and slides to be made.  Steps to be carved and snow to be packed.

And best of all?  On this second snow day in a row, when the kids are beginning to wonder what they are going to do all day, the city finally arrived with the snow plow.  The magical pile has been created again. 

The day holds new possibilities and new promises.  And wet snow clothes, and red cheeks and runny noses.  Cups of hot chocolate and plates of cookies.  And smiles.  Lots of smiles.

Thank you Mr. Plow Man.  You just saved the day.