Well, we had our first snow today!  Last night, we had a winter storm watch that lasted until 6AM this morning.  The weather man was predicting up to 9 inches of snow!  We did not get anywhere near that amount, but my kids were excited none the less!  They did the “Secret Snow Day Ceremony” last night before bed.  What is the Secret Snow Day Ceremony you ask?  Well, let me explain.

 My boys have a book called “Snark Attack Underfoodle and the Secret of Life.”  On the cover of the book, there are two brothers.  One with a pair of tightie whities on his head, the other with a big green booger hanging out of his nose.  Quality literature, for sure! The book is just basically chapter after chapter of silly boy things with chapters titled “Have you ever tried to pick up 1,000 paper clips” and “Funderwear” and “Messy Closets Rule” and then of course “Snow Business.”

In the chapter titled Snow Business,  kids are instructed on what to do when the weather man predicts snow.  The object is to have school cancelled for the day! Here is what the ceremony consists of:

1. Put your pajamas on backwards.

2. Put white socks on your hands like mittens.

3. Wave your socky hands up high and chant: “Snow, snow, do not stop. Pretty please with whipped cream on top.”

4. Throw your pillow in the air like a giant snowball and try to catch it on your head three times.

5. Go to sleep upside down.

 Well, last school year we had a snow prediction for many, many inches of snow and the boys did the Secret Snow Day Ritual and the next day…you guessed it!  School was cancelled!  They were so pleased with themselves, they thought they were the two kids who were responsible for the snow day.  They are convinced that it works.  So last night, there we were, looking for the book and doing the ceremony.  They were convinced that they would be sleeping in today and then playing outside making snow forts. Well, we only got about an inch and schools were OPEN for business.  They were pretty disappointed.  I however am still out on medical leave from surgery so I had my fingers crossed behind my back during the snow ceremony. Shhhhhhh.  Don’t tell!

This past weekend Mr. T. put up our Christmas lights outside.  This is his least favorite job of all time.  I usually have to start hinting around to him about a week in advance. Since I am in a neck brace, I am not any help.  I think he may feel a little sorry for me, because I did not have to do much pleading this year. A few suggestions and off he went.  Not happily I might add.  He can get a little “Scroogey” when it comes to decorating for Christmas. Indoors and outdoors.  I think he is always happy with the end result and the end result is beautiful, if I do say so myself!

There are tiny Christmas trees in the dormer windows and the reindeer in the front moves his head side to side.  It looks much better in person.  So if you see Mr. T. out and about town this holiday season, please tell him what a great job he did with the lights!  Maybe that will make next year a little more bearable for him when I tell him I want to add another reindeer and some icicle lights!

On a side note, my brother is having yet another kidney procedure tomorrow AM in Milwaukee.  Keep your fingers crossed that this will be the final one.  Darn it, he has been through so much. Enough already, enough!  First his heart, now for the last year it has been kidneys.  Please stop the merry go round!  We want to get off!  Chuck, I love you so much.  I am hoping and praying that this will be it for you.  And then maybe you will be in for some more good luck!  Remember after your heart surgery?  Winning a brand new Harley, baby!  You deserved it!   What do you say this time?  Maybe a trip to Hawaii or Jamaica?  Ahhhh…I can feel the sunshine now!