Snow Days and Ice Cream

When we lived in Mansfield, LA, there was a rare treat....a snow day! Anyone from Louisiana knows that snow is something not seen on a regular basis. They would also know that Louisiana natives don't adapt well to the cold.

I have no idea how old I was, but I think it was the winter of my 5th or 6th grade year. I don't know if it was dad's idea or mom's or one of us kids, but mom and dad bundled us up and we took off outside in the cold. I think that it was dark outside, but my memory is pretty spotty (Shanna or Ryan, you need to remind me! LOL). We walked from our house to a little store about 2 blocks or so away and bought ice cream cones. We then walked the long and windy way home. All 5 of us...eating ice cream, throwing snowballs at each other. My sister, brother and I have often talked to each other about that day. The thrill of the snow, the excused absence from school and most of all, the day together spent laughing and having fun with each other.

I think that it was the same year that there was a newspaper article about the snow where mom, dad and I were pictured sledding down the hill next to our house...all stacked up, laying on our bellies, one on top of the other - laughing and smiling like idiots.

Mom and daddy always had a knack for making everything seem fun and exciting and special!