“Summer’s end” ended with a snow day. Mind you, there’s not a flake in sight. But this town shuts down when it rains, and oh, how there’s rain. Nothing beats thunder, when afternoon feels like midnight, fingerprints on windows, nooners and crooners. Grilled cheese, tomato soup days. Though I’ll admit, this weather makes my skin all buttery—like I’ve been dipped into a tub of it. No amount of facial vibrating corrects it.

Playin’ Hooky: Not to be confused with “Hooking”

The phone rang at the butt crevasse of dawn
Six of the classrooms flooded at the J. They’re offering emergency preschool (aka: childcare). I turned to our wee ones and cheered, “No school today!” As the words tumbled out, I realized why parents are never the ones to actually cheer. Never mind the unexpected work detour, or the message you’re sending (school sucks!), but oh, crapjacks, there goes your day. Now it’s some sort of scheduled day.

What will you do all day, stuck inside, stir-crazy? The answer: play hooky yourself. Get a heap full of life on your hands. Hello panini’s, hello movie room, and hello Arts & Crafts! Going to hit the glue (sniffing optional). If all else fails, I’ll turn (toddler) Tricks. Rely on my Busy Toddler Activities, despite the fact that my sprouts are no longer toddlers.

This is maybe the one time where if someone had said, “Be careful what you wish for (Desperate to be a Housewife? Really?” I could respond, “I couldn’t have wished for anything more.” Lazy PJ days full of hide & seek are the best. I was thinking of creating Caramel Apple Cupcakes with Honey-whipped frosting for Rosh Hashanah. Now I needn’t think, I can do—with two little helpers (who’ll really only help make even more of a mess). Oh, how I wish Dulce* were here to delight in it all. At least Alexandra* arrives here tomorrow!

*Of Straight Up & Dirty Fame