Our kids are always thrilled with snow days off school.  As a parent who enjoys her kids, I enjoy those days too.  Usually, it leads to playing in the snow, making snow ice cream or ice marbles, and cups of hot chocolate.  However, the kids also realize Dad doesn’t get that day off to play.  Many times, snowy days offer a little extra challenge to the day.  Along with the normal chores, added snow makes the trek to the barn more interesting.  This winter offered the chance to repair a water line in the cold and snow.  Our oldest child got the chance to assist.  He seemed to like being able to help fetching tools and seeing what it is that keeps Dad outside on a cold day.  This same child had recently told his dad that he would like to help feed cows on one of the recent snow days.  As the afternoon snow and cold progressed, he was a little less sure that it seemed like a good idea.  However, I reminded him that the cows had to eat too and it would feel so great to them to have fresh straw bedding to keep them cozy.  He more eagerly bundled up to go out to the barn.  I think there was real satisfaction in caring for these animals and knowing what they did was important.

We’ve had quite a crazy, snowy and cold winter.  We’ve enjoyed the snow days from school and are thankful for the farmers on each snowy day.