Every Little Thing by April Jeppson

 

I’ve been at home with my three kids so long it feels like Christmas vacation all over again — except there is no tree, no new presents to play with and no beautiful weather to play outside in. OK scratch that. It feels like the end of the world where we are forced to stay inside and not open the thermal curtains for fear it might make the house drop 2 degrees.

Here is an excerpt from a real conversation I had with my children at dinner on Tuesday:

“Jeppsons look me in the eyes. I need to know that you’re listening to me. Look me in the eyes. It’s cold outside right now, and it’s only going to get colder. If you go outside or sneak outside you will die. No one is coming over. The doorbell will not ring. There is no need for you to open the door. You will not go to the neighbor’s house. It is so cold out that by the time you walk to their house your limbs will be black and frozen. Remember the movie “Mr Deeds?” Yes, your body will look like that guy’s foot. Promise me that you will not open any doors or go outside. OK? Promise me.”

It was straight out of a movie. The level of seriousness that covered my face, you would have thought zombies were outside. By this time we were already finishing our second snow day. Perhaps I was getting a little stir crazy. Usually when school is canceled it’s due to snow — hence the term snow day. So at some point, usually after lunch, I can send the kids outside to play in the very matter that kept them home. Sub-zero artic temperature? Yeah I’m not prepared for that.

My kids love to cook, eat, watch movies, read books and play games. We’ve been doing all those things. I made pizza waffles with my little chefs one day. Popcorn for a 10 a.m. family movie one day. We played Exploding Kittens (it’s a fun card game that is not as gruesome as it sounds). I know that on Wednesday I watched three movies. Three movies! I’m pretty sure I cleaned something in between each film because I just couldn’t stay on the couch that long.

I do love e-learning days. I love that when my kids start whining or fighting with each other (usually right around 9:40 a.m. if I turn the TV off) I can direct them to their bingo sheets. My children enjoy them, too. They love that they are given suggestions for activities and that they get to cross things off on the sheet. I’m not madly in love with six days of the same bingo sheet in about two weeks, but I guess it’s better than school till June 4.

I’m really excited for this weekend, actually. I heard it was suppose to get in the 40s and rain? So if you take fancy Minnesota wind-chill math — that’s -60 to 40 in less than a week. That’s 100 degree difference in a week! I’m not even mad. How exciting of a place is this?

I’ve concluded I’m in an abusive relationship with Minnesota winters. They’ve trapped me inside, and showed me their worst. I’m so desensitized that I’m under some delusion that 42 degrees and rainy is wonderful weather — honestly, I’m OK with that. As long as my kids can go back to school.

Albert Lean April Jeppson is a wife, mom, coach and encourager of dreams.