There is one thing that schools the world over cannot agree on and that is when to give kids a winter-ish spring break. In Europe they grant a mega dose of days off both in February and then once again in April (or around Easter). But don't ask anyone which days are considered standard vacation stuff. There is no consistency. Here, in the U.S., it's even worse. Universities are almost always on spring break in the second half of March, no matter what. (Well, some weren't off then during the pandemic, but that's another story). But schools? The chaos starts now. Snowdrop is on winter break at this moment. Sparrow is not. Snowdrop parades in her pajamas at 7:30 and munches leisurely on a slice of toasted cheese bread for breakfast. Sparrow has to hurry to get to school by 8. Guess who is the unhappy kid in that household? Then in March they'll both be off. Not in mid March, when our university shuts down and parents are on break, and not near Easter in April. This year spring recess is stuck at the tail end of one month and into the beginning of the next. But that's just them. Others do it differently.
Me, I am mightily confused between breaks and seasons and all the rest of it. We're just a short leap away from spring, but we still haven't had a proper snowstorm this year. No snowmen, not much skiing. That's okay, I'm packing my skis and heading out elsewhere in about a week. A place that was suppose to be snow covered and wonderful, but which actually has had rain on and off for a good chunk of February. I may have to search for snow at higher elevations.
It's all very baffling.
Which is why it's wise to start the day right. Feed the animals...
... then feed your own soul with a warm and cheerful morning meal.
Alone, because I did not have the heart to wake Ed. His sleep cycle is completely bonkers right now.
Oh, and I bake muffins, because we've all missed them.
In the early afternoon I pick up Snowdrop at her house. The girl is well rested and peppy, so I nudge her toward skating. I can't say she jumps at the opportunity. And to her credit, she's not the only one who would rather be inside: the neighborhood ice rink is empty. The nearby playground is empty. our town is full of shut-ins. Still, she goes along.
I don't bother with my skates. I shuffle on the ice in my shoes and keep her company as she works on gaining strength on her blades.
I wonder if this is our last time skating this winter. At least I don't doubt that we'll continue to have below freezing temps. And will the kids ski? Well, we'd need some snow. The elusive white stuff that is in such short supply this year in south central Wisconsin.
