Snow

It's snowing today. We have not had much of a winter this year. It has been in the seventies several times. We have had a few dusting's, but not any real snow. There was a week or two where it was very cold.

Today we are supposed to get hammered. Perhaps up to two feet here in Parker. I got off work early. The Air Force closed the base. Anyone not out of the building by 1300 is staying until tomorrow at the earliest.

The roads were wet, vis was crap and there was a lot of snow falling, but not much sticking. I stopped to get the boys on the way home, Owyn first. He was down for a nap, but not sleeping. He jumped up and grabbed his jacket with a huge grin. It's so nice to pick him up, it is the happiest I get to see him.

All of the teachers wanted to talk about the weather. "No, the roads are fine.", "I hear Highway 36 is closed". "There is a 30 car pile up somewhere to the north.". "I hear the plows are not keeping up in Denver."

We went next to get Rhys, he also was very happy to see me. Pallets all laid out but no sleeping going on yet. He jumped up and ran to me, with his pants half way down. "I guess he had an accident?" "Yep". We got his coat and headed to the front door, dodging unlucky children who were not being sprung yet and the cook, barreling out of the kitchen.

The cracker basket had oyster crackers in it. I don't believe the boys had run into these before. There is a basket in the lobby, on a low table. All of the kids stop by on their way out and grab a package of crackers for the ride home. It always has something different and every kid I have seen loves the cracker basket.

We got outside and Owyn stopped dead with a huge smile on his face. Remember, no real winter this year. He had not really ever played in the snow. He was fascinated by the big, heavy snow flakes and the pretty white. Rhys yelled, "Ook, Owing". (Look, Snowing). I got Owyn snapped into his seat, and his crackers opened. He loved the snow blowing in the door on him.

Rhys went into his seat and wanted his "cookies" opened. I told him they were crackers but he didn't believe me. "Crackers, not cookies", as he ate one. Daddy is so dumb sometimes, doesn't know anything. I can't wait for him to be a teenager, this should be great.

Once we got home I got Owyn out of the car. He headed off down the driveway, enjoying the snow, in wonder, again. Once Rhys was out we headed in, but Owyn wanted to stay out. "We will play in the snow after your nap." Not good enough. I scooped him up and hauled him inside. It was nap time for both boys (all three of us if truth be known, but I was waiting to make sure Tracy got home).

Owyn went down no problem, until I covered him with a blanket other than Cleveland. You may remember that I had mentioned Cleveland drama and my plan for avoiding it, namely that it would stay in the crib. Cleveland was not in the crib. Cleveland was in Mama's car. Again, stupid Daddy, doesn't know what he is talking about. I swear, some days I feel like I'm talking to myself.

Owyn threw a fit. I left him to it and got Rhys into bed, fit time there too. I went back to Owyn, he had also lost his gee. I handed him that, he laid down, I covered him with the ersatz Cleveland and he went to sleep. I guess two out of three was good enough. His bed, his gee, I'll take it.

Back to Rhys, still crying. Phone rings. Tracy is almost home. I go down stairs and wait for her. She gets home, and tries to calm Rhys down. No dice. I go back up and lay down next to him. he stops crying and settles in. Once he is calm and dozy and mostly asleep I leave him. Now it is time for me to nap.

When Rhys woke up he came downstairs with his underwear, pants and his Pingy. (Pingy == Cleveland for Rhys). He walked into the living room and saw that Hannibal was asleep on the couch. He whispered, to Mama, "Annibal abeep". The he walked over and very carefully laid Pingy out on top of Hannibal to keep him warm, and started playing on the floor.