Shortest school day ever!

The day started out well, for the first day back. Everyone was ready to go on time, and Lewis was even able to get the car out. The school bus arrived early to pick up Anna, and I was headed out the door cheerfully, ready for the long walk to my office.

It is colder this morning than it has been, but the roads are clear, and traffic zoomed past me as I stomped through the snow in my hiking boots. (Lewis later remarked that in my long coat, colorful hat and scarf, and heavy boots, I looked like a Russian peasant. I couldn't possibly comment on that.) I stopped to take a couple of photos on my iPhone, not having been out that way at this time of the morning since the snow fell. The fields are still blanketed with snow, and the sky behind the trees along the horizon glowed pink. What a great day to be out, I thought, as I continued on my way, listening to my favorite music and being generally grateful to live in such a beautiful place.

Then Lewis rang to say that Thomas wouldn't be in school after all. Bring him to my office, I said, undaunted. There's plenty for him to do, and I can get started on some work and take him home around lunchtime. I crossed the roundabout and was just about to head up the big hill that takes me toward the University when the phone rang again. This time it was Anna's school, calling to say that the buses couldn't get into the car park, and Anna was going to be returning home. I suppose I must have sounded puzzled, because the school secretary explained that health and safety regulations prohibit children from crossing the school car park in the snow.

Whatever.

I guess the school holidays just got a little bit longer. Come to think of it, I wasn't actually sad to see them go.