The Very Snowy Non-Snow Day & Link Up On the Edge #127

January 11, 2019 / 66 Comments
This is not a sponsored post.

Have you heard of the snow day ritual that you must perform the night that a snowstorm is predicted in order to have a snow day from school the following day? We did not have such rituals when I was a kid, but my children swear by this magical routine…until it fails them. It goes like this…if it is snowing, you must wear your jammies inside out, put a spoon in the freezer and ice cubes in the toilet. Do this the night before and you will be guaranteed a snow day the next morning.

Jacket: Old Navy
Scarf: Charlotte Russe
Jeans: Gap

So Wednesday night, it was predicted that a major snowstorm would be hitting Northern New York with snow accumulations up to 18 inches. All after school activities were canceled on Wednesday in preparation for the predicted storm even though it was barely snowing at all. This is all my children needed to hear and they were flipping their jammies the wrong side out, putting a spoon in the freezer, and throwing ice cubes in the toilet while demanding that I not flush if I go to the bathroom. I think the spoon may still be in the freezer now that I think of it.

Sweater: Kohl’s
Gloves: Old
Boots: Charlotte Russe

Here is how this all played out…first, I have to keep it real…this information is important to the story. I pee frequently. Really quite often. I explained to the children that I would in fact be flushing the toilet every time. They fought and argued until I promised that I would put new ice cubes into the toilet every time I flushed it. Now when I say I pee frequently, I mean like every 30 minutes or so. I cannot possibly remember, let alone be bothered, to grab ice cubes out of the freezer every single time I go pee. So I dropped the ball on this one. I kept peeing. And flushing. And neglecting to put ice cubes in the toilet. No one really noticed. Or questioned. Until morning…when there was no phone call from school announcing the much hoped for snow day.

Then the interrogation began…by the 5 year old…inquiring if I had remembered to put the ice cubes in the toilet every time I flushed. Well, sorry, kid, Mommy probably forgot a few times and so you went to bed wearing inside out jammies, but there were no ice cubes in the toilet. And we only got about 3 inches of snow. And school was not canceled. Well, let me tell you how much I regretted forgetting to replace the ice cubes! My 5 year old threw an outright anger fit, crying, real actual tears, throwing pillows, punching the wall, kicking and screaming at me that it was all my fault there was no snow day.

First, I tried the rational approach, calmly explaining to him that none of us can control the weather, that this ritual was just for fun and has absolutely no bearing on what the weather decides to do. I explained and explained and explained how snowstorms can shift patterns and do something entirely different than predicted. I explained that we live in a very snowy place and there will be more opportunities for snow days. I explained and explained and explained and was met with punches thrown in my direction and a stubborn refusal to get dressed for school. He stomped his feet and insisted that he would not be going to school because it was supposed to be a snow day!

When calm rational explanation failed to calm him, punishment in the form of no Kindle privileges this weekend was delivered. This only served to aggravate the beast even more. Which led to screaming and cursing from both parents. Finally, after I wrestled the little monster into his clothes, he bounded outside to play in the 3 inches of snow…without his snow pants on…and promptly fell face first into a snow bank. Karma at her best. But then I had to wrestle him out of the snowy clothes and into dry ones with 0 minutes to spare before it was time to leave for school.

I don’t know what message a face full of snow delivered to his irrational angry 5 year old brain, but by some miracle from the weather gods, my 5 year old went bouncing off to school happy as can be and actually had a good day!

Side note: I took these photos some time in the middle of the December, but this is pretty much what it looks like in Watertown, New York, from November until April. We get the occasional thaw which will melt it all away just in time to cover us with a fresh coat of snow.

If anyone knows of a more certain ritual that will better guarantee a snow day for my bratty snow creature, please let me know and I will pass the information on to him. I am sick of losing spoons in the bottom of the ice maker!

And now the featured favorites from two weeks ago.

Katie of Hello Katie Girl shared her post, Llamas and Lace. Seriously, how adorable is this tee shirt? And the green lace skirt has me wanting! Well done, Katie!

Katie of Hello Katie Girl

Kathrine of Kathrine Eldridge Wardrobe Stylist shared her post, Black Lace Romper for New Year’s Eve. I am always envious of a woman who can wear a romper this well! And the fishnets really add a little extra something special for the holiday. Absolutely gorgeous, Kathrine!

Kathrine of Kathrine Eldridge Wardrobe Stylist


Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Ups.

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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66 Comments

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 11, 2019 at 10:32 am Reply

      Ha. We are never in a snow famine in these parts! I remember when my youngest was about 3 and we had a mid winter melt and some grass peeked through. He got so excited and looked down at it and exclaimed, “Well, hello there, old friend, I haven’t seen you in a while!” It made me laugh so hard! Maybe you should put some ice cubes in your toilet!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Deborah Stinedurf

    January 11, 2019 at 11:03 am Reply

    That is too funny Shelbee! I personally have no love for snow days. In PA we have to make them up which means we lose long weekends that we were looking forward to or even days of summer vacay if we’ve had enough snow days to eat up any scheduled long weekends. I do however love a 2 hour delay! Because I’m weather obsessed & apparently I’m blessed with some gypsy fortune telling skills, I’m pretty good at predicting if we’ll have a delay so if we’re getting snow my friends are texting me for the odds on a 2 hour delay…lol!
    I’m totally loving the subtle plaid/stripe/floral mix…so pretty!
    Debbie
    http://www.fashionfairydust.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 11, 2019 at 11:25 am Reply

      Debbie, thanks so much for reading! I don’t like delays or snow days now that I am working outside the house. Because I have to be at work regardless of what happens with school and delays and snow days really mess up my schedule! We have a lot of snow days built into our school schedule because we live where it always snows! But the school year seems to go on forever here anyway. We start just after Labor Day, then we had 2 weeks off for Christmas, 1 week off in February, and 1 week off in April. All this time off keeps the kids in school until the very last week of June! Crazy, I tell you!

      I love that you possess gypsy weather predicting skills! It is because you are more in tune with the universe and the earth than others! Have a fantastic weekend, my friend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Kellyann Rohr

    January 11, 2019 at 11:38 am Reply

    You look absolutely adorable in this – the striped sweater and gloves are meant for one another! Love the scarf too and of course those booties! So you control the weather now, huh? Add that to your list of skills! Ha!
    Glad your little guy headed off to school happy!
    xo,
    Kellyann

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 11, 2019 at 11:44 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Kellyann! I was totally unsure about adding the striped gloves to the mix on this one, but I do love how it all came together! As far as controlling the weather goes, it seems my children both think I am that powerful. I remember years ago my oldest was super scared of thunderstorms (well, he still is), but he kept begging me to turn off the thunder and lightning. I tried to explain that I could not. But in the morning when the storm was over, he very graciously thanked me for turning it off! Kids!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Michele Morin

    January 11, 2019 at 11:44 am Reply

    OH . . . Lord, have mercy!
    The weight of responsibility for the weather is all on you and your over active bladder!
    What’s a mother to do????
    (Smiling over this story, because I remember some pretty bizarre rituals my kids clung to as well!)

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 11, 2019 at 11:55 am Reply

      Hahaha, Michele, so true, what IS a mother to do?! I guess I will be sure to NOT flush the ice cubes when the next snowstorm moves in! Or I will just use the other bathroom. I am glad this story made you smile. Have a fabulous weekend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Kim

    January 11, 2019 at 12:25 pm Reply

    Sometimes explaining things to children does no good, I guess that’s where the “because I said so” -type phrases come from. I’m glad things got under control for you–what a funny ritual! I’m really liking your stripes on stripes with some pops of red to break it up, nice choice, Shelbee!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 11, 2019 at 1:24 pm Reply

      Thanks so much, Kim! This was a super fun pattern mix to create and I like how it all photographed! And yeah, I have no idea where kids come up these things! But it sure makes for good stories. Have a great weekend, my friend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Tiina L

    January 11, 2019 at 12:45 pm Reply

    Your children can skip school when it snows???!!!??? I mean, when is a snowstorm bad enough that they can stay at home? What about their parents, do they still have to go to work?
    Sorry, these are probably silly questions. I might be just a bit envious. I have to get to work, never mind the weather. And when I was a child, we always had physical ed outdoors in winter (skiing, skating, hockey etc), unless it was colder than -15 celcius. And it’s the same today: children in kindergartens and schools spend time outdoors in any kind of weather.
    I hate winter, so I wouldn’t mind having a snowday. Although it might last from January till March…

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 11, 2019 at 1:20 pm Reply

      Haha, Tiina! All valid questions! Sometimes the roads get a little too dangerous for buses to travel filled with kids, so schools will be canceled. We also live in a place where it is not uncommon to get 2 feet of snow or more in one storm. We also have high winds which cause blowing snow and zero visibility making travel nearly impossible. On those days, schools will be canceled! Unfortunately, I have to get to work regardless, but can take my kids with me if necessary. But usually, if the weather is so bad that school is canceled, my husband’s work is usually canceled as well. I am not sure what other parents do in these situations though. It definitely is tricky to manage!

      If it is colder than 20 degrees F (-7 Celcius), the State of New York says kids cannot go outside for activities during school. And temperatures here have been known to hit -40’s (both F and C). Those days school will be canceled because it just isn’t safe to even go outside and many children have to walk to school.

      I hope you have a fantastic weekend! Stay warm!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Robin LaMonte

    January 11, 2019 at 1:51 pm Reply

    Shelbee,
    Brrr!
    You look so great against all that snow with your outfit!
    I love how you mixed patterns!
    I enjoy seeing the snow but I don’t miss shoveling when we lived in New Jersey.
    However, I lost weight in the winter!

    Hugs my friend,
    Robin

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 11, 2019 at 2:31 pm Reply

      Thanks so much, Robin! This was a fun photo shoot as it was not that cold out. We had some good laughs as I tried to hobble around in the ice and snow in these boots! Today, however, the temperatures are below zero so I won’t be taking any photos out there! Shoveling snow is about the only exercise I get in the winter, too. I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Nancy

    January 11, 2019 at 2:06 pm Reply

    Snow for that long! Brrrr
    I think that for 5 year old little boys it is that if they are really helpful and really nice to their mother in the weekend, then the chance is that there will be lots of snow!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 11, 2019 at 2:29 pm Reply

      Oh Nancy, it just snows and snows and snows here. We usually get the first snow in October and the final one in early May. So it is very long winters here with lots of opportunities for snow days for these little boys! He should always be nice to his momma if he wants anything special! Have a great weekend, my friend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Anna at Muttonstyle

    January 11, 2019 at 2:08 pm Reply

    We’ve had a mild winter so far. I do remember those irrational 5 year old days. I don’t envy you. I’d like to have been a fly on the wall watching you. It continues. My 20 year old asked me if she could take a mattress to her house that I had bought her specifically for this house as she said she needed somewhere to sleep at my house. Well if she takes it back to the original problem. So I’ve said no. Bound to be sulking and pushing me on this one.

    oh well. Happy 2019.

    https://www.muttonstyle.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 11, 2019 at 2:27 pm Reply

      Oh my goodness, Anna! So they continue to torment us well into adulthood is what you are telling me?! Our winter has actually been rather mild for us this year as well. Although today it is bitter cold out there! I wish you luck with the debate with your 20 year old! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend, and thanks for stopping by!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Patrick Weseman

    January 11, 2019 at 3:41 pm Reply

    Living in Bay Area means that we don’t have snow days since it doesn’t snow here but we did have an “bad air quality day” off when the wildfires were going on in November. Love your story, it something that will get better with re-telling over the years.

    Looking nice, thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful weekend.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 12, 2019 at 11:38 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Jess! I guess every kid hopes for a snow day when there is snow coming! But we live where it snows so often that it has to be really bad for school to be canceled. My kids think a snowflake means they get to stay home! Oh and the nighttime and all day peeing is such an annoyance, isn’t it?! Hahaha. Have a great weekend, my friend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Lisa Richardson

    January 11, 2019 at 5:06 pm Reply

    I adore this combo. I think it’s one of my favorites. (I feel like I end up saying that a lot. LOL) The stripes and then red/black check is way too cute. I have heard of the snow ritual and I’m glad your boys had success. LOL I think my kids may have gone to bed with there jammies inside out a time or two in hopes of snow. So much cuteness in these childhood rituals. Happy weekend!!! XO

  • Cheryl Shops

    January 11, 2019 at 7:45 pm Reply

    Shelbee, you look fantastic in these photos! Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it. Also, question—how does putting ice cubes in the toilet relate to having a snowstorm? Is this a superstition or are you preventing the pipes from freezing or something? These are things we don’t have to worry about in California! 😉
    Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 12, 2019 at 11:16 am Reply

      Thanks, Cheryl! You just made me chuckle a little, it is just a silly ritual the kids do to channel the snow gods to send enough snow for a snow day! Nothing to do with anything at all…just a kid superstition! But I imagine kids must come up with some creative ways of getting out school in California as well! Have a fantastic weekend, my friend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Susan Marinelli

    January 11, 2019 at 7:55 pm Reply

    Who is teaching these children this crap! Whoever it is has gotten it all wrong!!!
    Let me educate you, and your misguided five year old.
    First of all, the ice cubes in the toilet MUST BE FLUSHED. I cannot stress this enough. If not flushed, all you get is slush, or worse, rain. Please advise five year old you were helping him. Second, the spoon goes under your pillow not in the freezer. The White crayon goes into the freezer, to direct the snow gods. No wonder you didn’t get any snow! I bet they didn’t even run around the dining room table five times before bed? No?

    It will be a miracle if you manage to get any more snow this season.
    Kids these days! I don’t know where they get these misconceptions from!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 12, 2019 at 11:13 am Reply

      Ha, Susan! Thanks for educating us on the proper snow day ritual! I will certainly pass it on to the children. They did not run around the table 5 times so it is totally their own fault for the lack of snow! You crack me up. Thank you for that! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Darlene

    January 12, 2019 at 12:21 am Reply

    Hi Shelbee,

    Ah, I remember snow days fondly from the time I spent in Michigan as a teenager. We all loved them, even though they had to be made up at the end of the year! I never heard of the protocol for making sure it was a snow day–great story!! Haha!

    Cute outfit for the cold, too. You look great in black and red!

    xx Darlene

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 12, 2019 at 11:10 am Reply

      Darlene, thank you so much! Black and red is one of my favorite color combinations ever. And these snow day rituals are all new to me as well. Fortunately, we do not have to make up the snow days because they build enough of them into the school schedule. We get so much snow here they have to! Have a great weekend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 12, 2019 at 11:08 am Reply

      Thanks, Katie! I don’t know any kid that doesn’t love a snow day, but they get so serious about these rituals! It’s kind of funny and of course I humor them the best I can. But they need to understand that mommy does not control the weather! Ha. Have a great weekend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Laura

    January 12, 2019 at 3:27 am Reply

    Don’t you just love those kindergarten/4K temper tantrums?? …NOT! My daughter has those too at times (don’t we all?) when things don’t quite go her way. I don’t even attempt to rationalize so good for you! I just ignore her and give her no attention until she has calmed down. For some weird reason we actually don’t have any snow! And with no snow all of December and now half of January we are actually missing it a bit!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 12, 2019 at 11:06 am Reply

      Oh, Laura, thank you so much for relating to the struggle of parenting a kid in tantrum! And yeah, I guess we all do throw brat fits every now and then when we don’t get our way. I am definitely guilty of this myself. Well, I hope you get some snow soon…I’ll try to send some your way! Have a great weekend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Suzanne

    January 12, 2019 at 5:44 am Reply

    Ok, I am laughing and feeling your pain all at once. And thank you for the snow story, its all new to me, I’ve lived in California for most of my life, LOL! And 5 year olds….well, I suppose they are kind of like teenagers, LOL! Ok, can we talk about the outfit, it is so fun and darling head to toe. I am loving every single thing about it-from the sweater and gloves to the boots…you sure know how to dress for snow, and cute. I would be in leggings and a big puffer..not so cute.
    Thanks for the fun post!

    xx
    Suzanne
    http://www.AskSuzanneBell.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 12, 2019 at 11:02 am Reply

      Thank you, Suzanne! The things kids come up with to try to get out of school! I imagine they create some unique excuses in California, too, in order to get out of school. They have to be even more creative because they don’t have snow on their side! There are definitely snowy days when leggings and oversized sweaters and puffer coats are my go-tos, but mostly I try to get dressed enough to cheer me up in the midst of this arctic abyss! I hope you have a lovely weekend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 15, 2019 at 11:03 pm Reply

      Aw, Chrissy, thank you so very much! I think this is one of my favorite outfits this winter! I love black and white and red together. And it seems every time I style these particular boots, I love the pictures. They must be magical boots!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Melissa

    January 15, 2019 at 2:38 pm Reply

    Oh no! I have never heard of this snow day ritual… and I am hopping somehow someway my children don’t know about this (fingers crossed). Isn’t it funny, if they can put this much work into predicting snow days… I have a feeling they could put the same amount of effort in cleaning their rooms 😉 #momwish I am so obsessed with your booties! Love the embroidered!!

    xo
    Mel

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Shelbee on the Edge