Let It Snow ...

[Rhiannon Brock]

Every so often, a major snow storm hit Rhydin. 2019, started out with what looked like a bunch of pillows had exploded and sent feathers all over the Gardenhome Orchard! Brian wasn't tall enough to look out the windows on his own. Alinar and Colleen, however, had learned to climb up on the window seat to watch the world outside the cozy comforts of their home. Diamond, too, enjoyed this perch as it was a sunny place to stretch out and nap or allow the children to pet her.

In the kitchen, the adults were enjoying a somewhat peaceful cup of tea. As often happens in homes with children, the silence was broken all too soon. Squeals of delight came from a pair of running four year olds.

"It's snow! It's snow!" Colleen said as she climbed up into her chair. She picked the cup of grape juice she had remaining from breakfast. "Can build we a snowpeople?"

"A fort! How about a fort!" Alinar paused in his trek to the table to fill the food bowls for Diamond and Riddle. Except for the youngest, family shared that responsibility.

"How about we all finish breakfast first?" Rhi said with a little laugh.

Eregor looked between the twins, "Can you two put your snowsuits on by yourselves?"

Colleen suddenly looked serious as she considered her father's question.

It was Alinar that spoke first, "Can't zip!"

"That's easy to fix, kiddo." Rhi finished her tea and rinsed out her mug.

"Boots!" Colleen add her two coppers.

"You want to bundle Brian up or help the masters of shenanigans, a chroi?" Eregor grinned.

"You take Brian. He can be harder to dress, but he's easier to catch ... for now." Rhi flashed Gory a wink and put the dishes in the sink to soak.

And, so, it began, the task of getting small children into a bundle of clothes to keep them warm while they romped in what to them would be mountains of snow.