In the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex we have enjoyed a mild winter thus far. Most days we can get away with a light jacket or sweater to keep us warm. BUT NOT TODAY! It has been raining since yesterday and the temperature is continuing to drop. My children excitedly announced there would be no school today. (I double checked, just in case).
So what do we do when there is a school closing? Typically we bake and watch TV all day. The kids shrugged when I suggested this. I would love to get new suggestions on how to spend an 'ice day'. (Cleaning out the closets didn't go over well either).
How long do you think it would take to clean out these closets?
This picture has nothing to do with this post. I took it and I like it!
This year where my wife works they have techer holidays on both Friday the 13ths. Go figure.
I remember ice days in Dallas. We would go "spinning" in our cars. LOL.
AHHHHH, I remember those days. I used to stay up all night hoping for no school and then would watch the news if we had off the entire next day...
Ice is not much fun... Snow days are MUCH better! at least you can play in the snow. Movies and popcorn sound like a good idea!
lol, cleaning never goes over well, guess I need to check the weather and see whats headed my way, on days like that I try and curl up with a book, no suggestions but have a warm safe day!
Mel...
Goodness, trapped with teenagers? Crap, crayons and paints won't work anymore ... you know, I can't think of a thing other than a DVD marathon ... do you have Seinfeld on DVD?
It is a great day for a kid, an unexpected school Holiday. That is until they have to do the make up day! I am sure that what ever you do to spend time with them will be fun for them!
Wait a minute, you changed the photo on me. I liked the last one because the caption was funny!
They cancelled school here last week for one day because the temperature was 25 below zero before wind chill. We rocked out on guitar hero world tour all day, ordered a pizza, and didn't think about going anywhere.
Charlie, my husband thinks teachers get too much time off. I disagree!
Heath, yes I used to go spinning in empty parking lots on ice days. This is NOT an option for my children.
Michael, now I stay up 'worrying' there will not be school. I have work to do!
We are having an Ice day too... But it is to cold to play outside so we will play with the Wii!!!
Your friend in Charlottesville, VA
Charles McDonald
Robert, we will sit around getting fat but be happy!
Crystal, with two teenagers around reading is rarely an option.
Richard, they don't like Seinfeld. Perhaps pay for view will work. Oh, and there is always laundry!
Tony & Darcy, I suppose you are right.
Richard, I added it back.
Quad Cities, that is some cold weather my friend! Pizza sounds good. Any excuse for pizza is a good one.
Melody.. Let me guess, you added the picture of Big Ben, to make sure we were paying attention to your blog, and that it had to deal with school closings?
It looks like tomorrow, here in CT, there will be school closings do to more snow. LOL. The media hasn't gotten one storm right this year yet. They predict alot.. we get little. One time they predicted 3 to 4 inches of snow (not much in my book) and it only rained. To save face, they mentioned the roads *are* icy. When in the background of this announcement it stated "Drive slow *possible* icy conditions". They can't get it right when it is right in front of them.
Ok, I've babbled enough.. in answer to your question, what my kids and I do is cook. It is cold and miserable, and who doesn't like homemade soup. If you would like a chicken noodle soup recipe, let me know.. I've got an easy one (that tastes great) and the kids can make it... with your help, of course.
Charles, we have a Wii and I am sure it will be utilized most of the day.
Valerie, you caught me! I was just reminiscing about a trip I took to London a couple of years ago. Chicken soup sounds good. I may just have to run out and get a chicken.
How about having the kids cook breakfast, make s'mores, go ice skating on the front lawn, cook lunch, go driving on a major highway that's always fun, make s'mores, cook dinner, relax with a glass of wine and make s'mores.
BTW, did I say anything about making s'mores?
Oh, nice pics ma'am.
Don, correct me if I am wrong but I think you have a particular craving for something. I am taking Valerie's advice and running out to grab a chicken before the roads get too bad.
Hey Mel, We are in the midst of an ice/snow storm in Louisville as well. I made it in to the office, but it was a brutal trip. I thik I'll head back before it gets too bad. Our kids (5) are still at the age that they are disappointed about not going to school. However, I'm sure they will get over it quickly.
There, now that's better!
No snow days in California.
So when it rains in Texas, they close the schools?
Hard to believe. We have had snows very often and hardly any school closings. I know school closing sucks. :-)
Melody, Take a chill pill and ask your daughters what is it they would like to do today for exchange for another day of house cleaning and enjoy the time off with them. It will make the day go by faster. Just a thought.
Kick them out and lock the doors. Then sit back and relax and they can entertain themselves while trying not to freeze.
Hi Mel! I make soup. Typically, Max is out all day in the weather and comes in every now and again for a hot bowl of whatever is on his Italian Mother's Stove!! xxoo When the snow days are far and few between, I enjoy them too. But one year, they were never ending and I was going out of my mind!
My kids have only had 1 snow day ever, and my oldest is a sophmore. We ate and watched movies, but since that's ruled out......?
Have fun!
My dream snow day >>>>>
Well breakfast - chocolate chip pancakes.
Then about 4 hours of playing the Wii
Then the ultimate- tomato soup and grilled cheese for lunch.
Eventually i might even get out of my pajamas.
So how does one get off due to rain? - And I thought u Texans were so tough? :P
I agree, playing Wii would be fun. Of course, I like the baking idea... and movies and popcorn. Pizza for dinner. Sounds like fun.
We are getting snow here... AGAIN... grrrrrr... I'd rather the sunshine we had yesterday! Oh well! ~A:)
Mel - personally, I prefer beer and a movie, however, with kids.......do you and the kids enjoy puzzles, board games, dominoes?
Great Pictures. I would spend quality time with them and grow a stronger bond.
Hi Melody-Weather here is nasty too. Suppposed to be freezing rain. I know they are teenagers but what about having a picnic in the living room or family room with your chicken soup. Spread out a blanket, make it authentic as possible, or make pictures of your fav vacation destiny and hang them all around and have your picnic in a faraway place. Great photo's. Good luck. I got to make a run to the store myself. Have fun. :-)
Mel...you can keep your ice days. That is one thing with snow you can pile it up HIGH! What are the jackets for ?
Mel, enjoy the time away from normal things. I've been out and about already today and so far no crashing into guard rails. Stay safe and have fun.
Did the close the schools because of snow or rain? We don't close our schools here until it hits 70 below. :)
70 below huh? Thats one of the funniest things I have heard in a while. My father-in-law lived in Alaska for many years - I'm going to ask him too :)
So Mel - considering that pic above, you were out taking pictures at 4:15 in the morning? Or was that the 6 months of darkness in Alaska?
Mel, I have to laugh when I see a snow day post with a Texas Address..you guy don't know snow..It was -17 here this Morning and we are expecting between 1 to 2 feet on Wednesday, and They don't cancel school for that here.
Hi Mel,
Difficult for me to address your question because we didn't experience "ice" days. Having lived in Western New York we had "SNOW" days and there was always lot to do outside once the announcement came that School was closed.
As for the pictures you posted, WOW! I love them!
Wriet a follow up post to let us know how you filled in your children's Ice time.
How did you get no school? Aren't you in our area (Frisco, Colony, etc.)? We had school today. The kids were hoping for no school though. We are having to skip basketball practice though.
Hi Melody,
When my kids are kept home unexpectedly, I let them do whatever they want...so long as they don't bug me while I'm working (or on AR).
Hi Melody,
When my kids had snow days, we would stay in our P.J.s, eat... play games, Maybe do something creative like draw.
I guess you made it through the day... since I am stopping in late. I hope you had fun!
if it is a snow day, you can always break out the wii and have some major bowling tournaments!
Look Kids ! ... Big Ben !!!!
..... havent seen a pic of that old clock from my homeland in a while :o)
We have a snow day coming tomorrow - my 7am network meeting was canceled in anticipation of 6-8 inches of the fluffy stuff ..
YIPPPEEEE - MORE SLEEP !
Pajama day! Our school district was in session yesterday but I declared "not taking any chances driving in this crap" day. My teen played his guitar and XBOX all day while I negotiated a February closing.
Geez! No snow days for us! I wish we could have one, my little family might actually spend the day together!
Mel - so it's your turn for a little snow eh? Hope you all had fun!