Ready or Not, the Snow is Coming!

After breakfast was over, Shawn and Abby had a few minutes to play before we needed to get ready for Spanish class.  Among all the toys, they found two Magnadoodle type boards and got right to work.  Here they are, concentrating very hard on some very important documents. 

We were very disappointed to find out that Diego was out sick today from Spanish class.  He had a very nice sub, but she was a little too energetic for Shawn and certainly unfamiliar to him.  As a result, he completely shut down and wouldn’t talk.  He was completely shy around the new teacher.  Abby didn’t seem to mind.  I think she liked her enthusiasm and chirpiness.  Since our lesson was a review of colors today, our project involved making necklaces with colored fruit loop cereal.  Shawn ate his for lunch on the way home.  When we got him, Baron followed Abby while she wore her yummy smelling “jewelry.”

Good news!  Shawn understands that when someone gives you something, you should say, “Thank you!” without being prompted!  Unfortunately, he wasn’t waiting for Abby to actually give him the toys before snatching them from her hands.  He did follow up with “Thank you, Abby!”  I’m not sure if I should be thrilled about his expression of kindness or if I should have a problem with his greediness! 

It looks like my hopes for the snow to hold off one more day were in vain.  Snow is coming.  A lot of it.  A Red Alert for the Village of Roselle was delivered via email and text message:

Village of Roselle Weather Alert message

‏:  2/1/2011  12:26:53  PM  EST

This is a CODE RED message from the Village of Roselle. The National Weather service has issued a BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM TUESDAY TO 3 PM WEDNESDAY. Village Hall Offices will be closed on Wednesday February 2, reopening on Thursday, February 3. Garbage and recycling pick up has also been cancelled for Wednesday and is rescheduled for Thursday February 3. All on street parking is banned after three 3 inches of snow fall to assist in plowing efforts. Residents are required to move parked vehicles off the roads so that snow removal functions can be done safely. Vehicles left on roads will be ticketed and towed at owner’s expense. Residents and business owners are encouraged to assist the Fire Department in identifying and clearing fire hydrants. If you are unable to clear hydrants, please mark the area of the hydrant so that the Fire Department can clear them. Residents are encouraged to stay home and not to drive if possible. Please remember to check on your neighbors who may be in need of assistance. For more storm related updates, visit the Village web-site at www.roselle.il.us. Thank you

Oh, boy!  It’s not sounding good!

While Shawn finished his nap, Abby snacked on some chocolate pudding.  Chocolate always makes the day seem better, doesn’t it?

I’m still getting messages from the school closure service in Bensenville.  My former district is closed tomorrow, which rarely ever happened during my seven years there – not to mention before the snow actually falls!  Roselle Schools had early dismissal today and will be closed tomorrow.  Aurora University closed early this afternoon and cancelled classes for tomorrow.  Language Stars follows snow policy of the school district around them in Arlington Heights.  When the school district is closed, so is Language Stars.  So, our first German class is postponed until next week.  Our first Mom and Tot outing through Mothers & More is rescheduled for next week because Little Monkey Bizness is closed tomorrow.  Shelley called to say that her office has already closed for tomorrow.  So, Abby is going to stay home to have a snow day with her family and bake cookies.  Maybe we’ll see them sledding or something, if it’s not too brutal out.

While Abby and I waited either for Shawn to wake up or for Bill to pick her up, whichever came first, we watched the snow coming down out the front window and the snow crew struggling to keep up with it.  It’s amazing how quickly it’s already coming and the “blizzard” hasn’t even hit us yet!

This is incredible!  I don’t think I’ve ever seen snow like this before.  The snow plows can’t keep up with snow accumulation! As soon as they clear an area, it's covered again just as quickly!  They're trying to compete with both the new falling snow and what is being blown around, and it's a losing battle.  I can't imagine what it would look like if the crews weren't out there at all!