It has hit Payson. The first snow of the year. We have had skiffs of snow that last for an hour and the mountains have had it but down in the valley it just hasn't been staying until today.
I like the idea of snow. Getting all dressed up in cute jeans and a cozy sweater. Sitting by the window reading a book as it softly falls. Having a fire in the fireplace and drinking hot cocoa. Yeah - the idea is good. Then hits the reality.
Snow is cold. Snow makes the roads and sidewalks icy. You have to shovel it. And come to think of it... I don't even have a fireplace. All that I can deal with. But as a mother - I find snow exhausting.
I lay in bed and hear the kids excitement over the snow that has fallen in the night. I hear how much has fallen and how pretty it is and then I hear the dreaded phrase. "Let's go play in it!" As any mother knows this is not a fun phrase, because it means the quiet rest is over - the work is now beginning.
It is the first snow, the first time to get out the snow pants, boots, gloves and hats. I don't know if anyone else does this - but at the end of winter I toss all the snow gloves and hats into a packer and get it out of site. I don't take stock of what is there. I just want it put away and I want to get out the flip flops.
So out of bed I go and onto the floor just outside the hallway closet to get out the snow clothes.
"My boots don't fit!" "These gloves don't match." "Mommy - I left my coat at school. Now I can't go out side. Whaaaa" on and on.
After I count to 10 and sigh a couple of times - I figure out the boot issue and deal with gloves that don't match. Find coats that will fit for just a couple of days. Get every one dressed and then they head outside.
I breathe. I relax. I enjoy hearing my kids slide down the slide in the snow and giggle and laugh. And then it all comes crashing down with in five minutes of the door closing behind the last child.
The youngest comes into the house tracking all the snow from the outside through the kitchen, the living room and into my office."Mommy - I am cold I want hot chocolate." Of course.
On to hot chocolate duty. I get the hot chocolate going and the youngest undressed. In his excitement he announces to the rest of the clan that the hot chocolate is ready and to come and get it. More snow into the house - at least this time I had control of where it went. And now they are all around the table drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows.
The idea of snow is nice and it does look pretty (the first day). But the work that is involved with snow is so exhausting.
