“You can sleep in today. It’s a snow day.” Those are the sweetest words a kid can hear. We heard them at least once or twice a winter when we were growing up in Connecticut. It had to be a humdinger of a snowstorm for school to be cancelled. Otherwise, we would have had snow days once every couple of weeks. Fortunately—or unfortunately for us kids—Connecticut had plenty of snow removal equipment, so snow days were a rare treat.
We’d snuggle deeper into the covers and listen to the wind howl. After a breakfast of hot cream of wheat, we’d spend twenty minutes getting ready to brave the outside. We donned snow pants, hooded parkas, boots and idiot mittens and head outside to build a snow fort. We stayed out so long our eyeballs froze. We’d come in for lunch—a steaming bowl of Campbell’s tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches—and head outside again. At bedtime we prayed that we’d have a second day of the same. No such luck.
When I was an adult and we moved to San Antonio, my children didn’t get to experience snow days. Obviously. Except once. We had a freak snow storm that left us with thirteen inches of snow for one day before it melted. San Antonio has no snow removal equipment, so we had a snow day. The kids played outside in their cowboy boots. Who owned snow boots in San Antonio?
And now we live in Virginia Beach, as south as you can get in Virginia before you get to North Carolina. Snow is not an impossibility, but it is highly unlikely. A huge snow storm is now descending on the Northeast. If it had moved just a tad to the south, we’d be having a snow day tomorrow. My husband would love to hear those words: You don’t have to go to work today. It’s a snow day.” I keep hoping and wishing that it still could happen. We wouldn’t need too much, just an inch or two. Virginia Beach has very little in the way of snow removal equipment. Obviously.
Meanwhile, my Boston children are giddy with snow-day excitement. They bought snow saucers in preparation. We never outgrow the kid in us.
Coming East 
I’m glad to hear your children were ready to play in the snow. I hope it hasn’t worn out its welcome.
I loved snow days in NW PA…. and I can remember crying when we had to go to school the day after. Thanks for the memories.
Snow is so wonderful–in memory.
I wouldn’t mind it in reality either, at least, I don’t think I would mind it!
Now that I’m retired, I say, “Bring it on!”
nothing like sitting and watching the snow fall while curled up in jammies..
Just for the record, we did have a snow day yesterday — well, the schools did. Everyone else had to brave it to work. Your post brought back memories of the excitement of snow days as a kid. We really had to get a ton of snow to have school cancelled! My kids did get to experience those glorious days too in all of the locales we lived. Even though it might not have snowed much, the lack of removal equipment would send everyone into a panic. I would just laugh then recalling the snowfalls of my youth. Great post!
I love how a simple thing like snow can take us back to those glorious childhood days.
Yes, early dismissal in CT today. Schools and much of any type of outdoor activity requiring the use of a car has been canceled for Tuesday.
I think of my brother (who lives in CT too) and his 4 kids enjoying the snow like all children should when they would typically be in school!
Couldn’t sleep so I got up to see if we got any snow. A light dusting on the bushes. None on the roads. Poor George has to go to work tomorrow. Darn.
What a wonderful picture of by gone snow days! I remember making snow forts the year we lived in NJ.
Sister says it’s snowing in NOVA. I’ll just watch it on the news.
Wish NOVA would send some of their snow our way!
It looks magnificent but I’m sure the reality of living with it is quite a different thing. I’ve seen snow only a few times ever, but there is a hypnotic quality about it. The noise dampening makes it feel “other worldly”. The house looks fabulous!
I love storms of any kind, as long as I can watch them from inside. My Boston kids, all in their thirties, are giddy with excitement at getting a snow day tomorrow. Wish I could go sledding with them.
When I was a child, growing up here in Virginia, we had quite a bit more snow than we do now. Probably the deepest snow I can recall was around 16 inches in March of 1980. I can’t help but get excited about snow falling, but I like for it to leave quickly!
You may actually get some tonight because you are farther north. Not by much, but maybe just enough. My brother lives near Richmond, so I bet he gets to see some. Lucky duck.
We have not had snow since 2007. I have no idea what winter is like in VB. I heard Boston got buried by snow, almost. Icy snow is really bad though.
Boston is expecting a historic one tonight and tomorrow. The kids are going to FaceTime with us tomorrow so we can see what’s going on.
This must be a long winter for them. It must be very inconvenient for thme
Actually, I think it is there first major storm of the season, and they are excited. Once they have to go back to work in a couple of days and the snow is piled high and ugly, they might not feel the same way.
The first time I saw snow was after I came to U.S. attending a graduate school in Idaho. It wasn’t a big one; you have to pay attention to see it. Still, I was so excited. I ran out of the house. My landlady shouted behind my back, “put on your coat! put on your coat!” Helen
Haha, Helen! I would think snow is a common sight in Idaho. I missed the snow all those years we lived in San Antonio, I was so excited when we moved here and had our first snowfall. I was like you, running out into it. I was just like a little kid again.
I just battled the masses for bread and milk (and my cocoa Kcups) before the snow flies. I know I live in Maine, but I’m still trying to wrap my head around the concept of 20-25″. It did seem to be a tie as to who was buying milk, who was buying wine and who was buying beer to wait out the storm!
That’s the problem with living up there. It’s never just a little bit of snow. It’s so pretty when it’s coming down, but then it stays and stays and stays, and gets blacker and blacker and blacker. All I’m asking for is an inch or two. Can’t you spare that much for me, Snow Hogger?
Yeah, loved snow days as a kid in CT, loved snow days as a teacher in NJ. Now, still in NJ… wouldn’t really mind if it just snowed once, lasted a day or so and be done and gone. Age creeping in, afraid of falling on ice, etc. But it’s still very pretty.
Since I’m retired, I can enjoy the snow from the safety of inside my house. I don’t have to go anywhere, so I would love to watch a little snow come down. And I would love to have George home for an extra day.
hahahaha! my boston kids just texted this from the liquor store: “prepping for hibernation” 😉 seems you raised a healthier brood!
Oh, I’m sure my Boston kids are well stocked in that department, too! Haha!