Hello Snow.

Simonsnow


6am and the school district website says “no school.”


“Hey Simon, guess what?”


“What?” he asked in that sleepy morning voice while still snuggled under the covers.


“You don’t have school today.”


“Isn’t it Monday? No school on Monday?” he sat up quickly, super interested at this new development.


“Go look outside.”


He scampered over to the window and peeked through the blinds. He sees it. Just about 4 inches of it. There is one of those great squeals of delight that come only from the realization that it is indeed a snow day.


And oh how I know those feelings. I remember them all too well. I also woke up about three times last night to check and see if it was really sticking and then had a hard time going back to sleep because I was getting way too excited. Snow is infrequent around here so when it comes it is cause for a big celebration if you are a kid or one of those grown-up kids who loves snow.


Simon spent the first bit of the morning watching cartoons before finally pulling out the snow gear – including snow pants that are just a touch too tight but definitely wearable. Long underwear, socks, turtleneck, snow pants, fleece, snow coat, snow mittens, snow boots and a good hat. An amazing amount of excitement was found in the simple actions of getting dressed.


I did a lot of watching Simon play with the neighbor kids in the snow today. He is finally to the point where he can be outside on his own without one of us outside as well. I still sit in the window and watch while reading or working on my laptop.


He is growing more and more independent all the time.


Many times in the past he has done lots of running back and forth while playing outside to tell me many little important things – updates on what the kids are doing, who said what, etc. Today he stayed longer and played more; coming back only to show me an icicle or when I called out to him to come home for a snack.


It’s in those quiet moments sitting at the window watching when I can really see how much he has grown. It is so cool to see him interested in the other kids, wanting to play with them and be part of the larger neighborhood experience. I love that.


Dottedline_2


December Daily post coming later today.

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67 thoughts

  1. Natalie says…
    12/16/2008

    I'm so jealous!!! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Sandy says…
    12/16/2008

    So happy you got snow and so happy for Simon. It's great that he's venturing out and making friends. I'm so excited for you all. What a great step for him. How proud you must be watching through that window. Hope you have a great day.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Cady says…
      02/18/2014

      Great common sense here. Wish I'd thhgout of that.

  3. Aseel says…
    12/16/2008

    No snow here in London but loved hearing about Simon's adventures this morning! Thanks for sharing as always Ali.
    Quick question: do you use the Stayz on inks with your stamps (ie on photos)? I am reluctant as I read that it spoils the stamps, would appreciate your view. Thanks!
    Have a great day :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Carol In Loveland says…
    12/16/2008

    I'm so happy for you and simon. For a few years now, I've been following your story, as it SO closely matches our own. My son Zachary was (finally) diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome last year. He has a "buddy" system at school recess now, and it is amazing to hear about him playing tag with the kids on the playground. I never thought I would see it. Friendships are a beautiful thing!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. MARILYN NIMMO says…
    12/16/2008

    We are the same way - VERY excited when it snows!!! The youngest in our household is 24, so it doesn't go away - and my husband and I get just as excited as our son. Here in Texas, you don't every know when it is going to snow - fall, spring, whenever!!! I am glad you all enjoyed your snow day - I bet you got some great photos!!! I love the one you posted!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Michelle Wooderson says…
    12/16/2008

    Ali, thanks for sharing your story about Simon today. I visit every day and just have to say that I love watching Simon grow up. He's such a cool little dude. I feel like I know him and Becky's kids and Lisa's kids...all through the wonderful world of scrapbooking. Thank you for always inspiring me and sharing a little bit of your world with all of us. Mish

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. CrossRoads says…
    12/16/2008

    How I miss snow... No snow here in Istanbul, also no rain but it's like summer weather, no jacket required.
    Such a lovely page, creative and full inspiration w/ wonderful snow shots.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. asnipofgoodness says…
    12/16/2008

    I love that for you!!!! You are a great Momma!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. jenny says…
    12/16/2008

    How sweet. We had a snow day last week in TN and an ice day today!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Shelly says…
    12/16/2008

    This blog entry made me remember "snow days" from my own childhood. :) I love your description of your excitement (getting up at night to check for snow)! I still do that when we're expecting a big storm here, even though we have snow on the ground ALL winter long where I live. Thanks for making me smile this morning. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Maureen says…
    12/16/2008

    This is so so special for a little one's memory. What a wonderful addition to your his last Christmas as an 'only'. "Just before you were born, it SNOWED before Christmas!!" he'll say.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Tinka says…
    12/16/2008

    Count me as one of those grown-up kids who loves snow! Of course, living in South Texas means we don't see it very often but every winter I am hopeful. We did actually have a a few flakes falling the other night, which was quite a surprise since it was only about 40 degrees!! Word here is that the last time we had an autumn as unseasonably warm as this year's, it was followed by the 1985 "blizzard" when we got 13 inches of snow.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. traci says…
    12/16/2008

    what a wonderful post. thanks for sharing. he is growing into quite the young man. what a blessing. my son is 17 and he is still hoping for the first snow day of the year. i am not sure that excitement ever goes away. have a great day ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. grungedandy says…
    12/16/2008

    joy in the simple things seeya hugya *G*

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Meg says…
    12/16/2008

    You KNOW this thrills me to read it. George would be happy if I didn't hover so much, but we're not quite to that point in most places. (Yay for Rainbow Play Structures!)
    Wasn't yesterday FUN?!!! Today's another one, enjoy!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. sue Treiber says…
    12/16/2008

    happy snow day to Simon! My kids are hoping for one tomorrow :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Jessica Stoops says…
    12/16/2008

    I loved hearing about Simon's snow day and your reflections.
    I am hoping for snow, but we haven't gotten any yet. Last year it snowed on the 6th, I recorded it in my Dec. book.
    Jess

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. HeatherC says…
    12/16/2008

    My kids were crushed this morning when the snow predicted turned out to be nothing -- just supposed to get reain later today and that is no fun! How cool for you to see Simon growing and playing with the other kids. I love to watch my kids from afar -- they always amaze me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Kristi says…
    12/16/2008

    Oh How I wish I got more snow days as a kid....*sigh* I live in Maine and we don't cancel school unless we get at least 12 inches of snow (and even then it's questionable) or at least 2 inches of ice on the road. it was a sore point in my childhood...all that glorious snow and no snow day. So glad Simon got out and played! and I'm still waiting to get to the point where I can just watch...but I'm not rushing, I love every step of little boys growing up... Have a wonderful day!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Sarah Pendergrast says…
    12/16/2008

    Love this post. As a mom of a 4 year old on the spectrum, I know that warm fuzzy feeling when you see your kid just playing with other kids. It's such a big deal, and an important milestone. I still feel like I have to keep a close watch on him when he plays with other kids, but it's probably more my issue and fear, than the reality. Thanks for the continual inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Mary Rogers says…
    12/16/2008

    oh Ali! I know what a huge accomplishment this is for you and Simon! horray for snow days!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. liz elayne says…
    12/16/2008

    love the joy in this post! we had just a bit here in tacoma, but we were just delighted watching it fall this weekend. i even took pictures at night outside saturday when it first started. it is such a rarity here that we have to really enjoy it.
    so glad simon had such fun playing...he will have wonderful memories of days like this one.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Heather H. says…
    12/16/2008

    I am envious of your snow day! As a former teacher in Minneapolis, MN we almost never have snow days! It happened once in my 8 years of teaching. Now that I stay home with my son everyday is a snow day! And he's not a fan of the snow, yet!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. margie says…
    12/16/2008

    growing up is good...snow days are great...becoming more independent is great for you and for simon...loved this post!
    kiss kiss
    m

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Jen says…
    12/16/2008

    Awww...that is super cute. Ah, well, up here where I live (Winnipeg, Canada) it's been freezing cold where it's a -26C with a windchill of making it feel like -40C today. Not sure what the conversion is to fahrenheit but my car barely starts or moves.
    Enjoy the snow!! =)

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