First Snow

There was a lot of “1st Snow” excitement in the Billington household this morning. I decided there was no need to rush this morning; I could take the few extra minutes and shower after the kids got on the bus. The dog had been up all night pacing the floor because Chad is away and I thought not rushing was worth the few extra minutes today.

Violet was out really early taking pictures, “vloging” and sporting her new “First Snow” Hat. Eliya was dressed in every piece of Christmas attire she could find (Christmas box in hand as well). The kids were waiting for the bus early. “Well done!” I told myself as their belly laughter filtered up to the house while I prepared for my shower.

Several minutes later and still no bus, panic began to replace their laughter: what if they were late, what if they didn’t have time to show off the new hat, what about dress up day?! We hopped in the van, I in my summertime pj’s, bedhead, free face, winter coat and boots, daddy-depressed dog in toe. What was that incessant beeping as we headed down the driveway? I peeled off Shiloh’s dog collar and held it in my hand. Yes, I held it in my hand. No caffeine is needed this morning, the shock collar works well.

We peeled down the highway arriving at school #1 just in time. The youngest flings back the van door in her excitement to show off her new hat and it rolls off the tracks. Now pause with me for a moment to consider my options: try to put the door back on in my summertime pj’s, bedhead, free face and boots sidled up next to the school as everyone rushes to drop their children off on their way to work and the teachers wave from the entryway or drive away with the door open, van contents falling out leaving a trail behind us? We drove away.

I parked in the nearby parking lot and heaved and hauled on the door in my summertime pj’s, bedhead, free face and boots whilst the last child and the whining dog watched on. “Well done, self.” I encouraged as we pulled away.

Back on the highway, I watched the clock as the dog groaned, moaned and paced and the child worried, ‘You’re going to make it, self. You’ve got this.” Seconds later a transport truck didn’t see us and pulled out onto the highway. We swerved around him and he barely missed us. Thank goodness that dog collar shocked me awake this morning!

The last child safely dropped off at school I looked at the dog, “It’s red cup day at Starbucks Shiloh, what are the chances?” She agreed and we decide to risk the drive-thru attendant’s reaction to our current state of upheaval. Score! #firstsnow #singleparenting #redcupdays #starbucks