A Snowy Day

I hate to be the one to tell you this. Despite the epic "To Do" list that every parent north of Boston has written for the frantic "must-get-it-done-while-kids-are-in-school" Friday before Christmas, none of the tasks will get done. Because Friday is going to be Half-Day Snow Day.  (Was that a scream I just heard?) Which means of course that as soon as we drop off our children at school, we have time to race like a Santa-out-of-hell to get one item done on the "list" and before it's time to pick them up again.  The little darlings will be hyped up beyond measure from doing nothing at school all morning but watch snow pile up.  Don't forget: it's not only Christmas, it's not only snowing, but it's a snowy-half-day-Friday-just-before-Christmas.  It just doesn't get any better for a kid.   For us parents, it's not going to be pretty. How to get through it?  Get on board that toboggan, parents, and ride it all the way down the hill.  If you can't beat those snowflakes (and you know you can't), then you are going to have to  join them.  (Really, I could swear I heard another scream.) Deep breath, lists away, it's showtime.  Or should I say "snowtime?"   Here's 5 Snow Day ideas to get you started: 1. Get out in the snow.  Bundle up and head outside.  (Now that scream I did hear.) Frosty air, flakes on your cheeks, and the muffled sounds of snowy streets will put you in the holiday spirit like nothing else (especially Christmas shopping the week before Christmas).  Throw a snowball, shovel the sidewalk, make an angel, get on a sled.   2. Bake Something Yummy.  Food is love, and you probably need to bring something yummy to a weekend party, so dust off the cookbooks, get out the butter (I know you've got some), find the flour, eggs, vanilla.  Bake cookies, muffins, scones.  What the heck - bake a cake!   3. Make Homemade Soup.  Again with the food. But while you've got the cookbooks out, find a recipe for soup, stew, chili -  perfect food for snowy, stormy day. 4 . Unplug.  Turn off the computer (what?!).  Turn off your cell phone (okay, now that's just crazy).  Light candles.  Play Christmas songs on the piano. Wrap presents.   Make homemade cards.   5. Take in a Christmas Matinee.   When you're done shoveling, sledding, baking and wrapping, pile onto the couch in your pj's with popcorn and hot cocoa and fire up a Christmas classic.  (Yes, you can plug back in for this.)  Some personal favorites are "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Elf," "A Christmas Story," "Miracle on 34th Street" and  "It's a Wonderful Life."  After the movie, sip bowls of homemade soup, gobble cookies, and get into bed early.  You've got a hell of a lot of shopping to do tomorrow.