Snowstorm Juno

Today is Snowstorm Juno, our first official snow day here. Although I must say, New York shuts down in a v methodical way, none of the grinding-to-a-startled-halt you get when it snows in London.

We had heard about Snowstorm Juno on the news, but frankly the American media is so sensationalised, we didn’t really pay much attention until we got text alerts from the girls’ school and day care warning that all kids must be collected by 3pm and to prepare for no schools the next day (today). Then a rather startling text with a siren ring tone from New York City itself (seriously) saying all vehicles must be off the road by 11pm whilst the snow ploughs get to work. Just tried to find that message and it’s gone from my phone. Sinister, do they have a list of every New Yorker’s cell phones??
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How to survive the school run when it’s -12c

We’re back in New York after a wonderful Christmas break in the UK, and now adjusting to the reality of a school run in our first New York winter. This morning the building’s thermometer read -12 degrees Celsius.

The cold has brought some fresh challenges to the school run this term. Normally we drop B off for the morning at her little local nursery, leave her pram there, and then T scoots beside me on the way to her school. But it’s simply too cold for scooting now, T’s eyes keep filling with water (not sure if it’s the cold or the wind chill – probably both). So I’ve assembled the gigantic double buggy, and bundled them up like little Eskimos.
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Winter is coming

“Winter is coming”, say the Starks. Actually, it’s the school moms who have been warning me that winter will come “super-fast and super-cold”, so I’ve been stocking up on kit.

One pair waterproof snow boots each? Tick. Umpteen sets of thermals each? Tick. Balaclavas for the wind? Tick. One pair snow-proof mittens each? Tick. Two pairs woollen tights each? Tick. Phenomenally warm second hand pram blankets from 7am Enfant? Tick.  Fancy 7am Enfant fixed stroller gloves for me? Tick (yessssss).

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