We’ve been hit by the blizzard (aka: Stella). What do you do to keep a six-year-old from climbing the walls on a day like this? There are only so many TV shows I’ll let her watch or crafts she’ll want to do.
An idea came to me after reading the lovely comments I received from so many of you after yesterday’s blog post I shared.
“Isabelle!” I called.
“Yeah?”
“I have an idea of something we can do together today.”
“What?” she asked.
“Would you like to build a fort in the great room? We can turn on the fireplace and read picture books together. I’ll read to you.”
Her face lit up. “Yes! I want to!”
I thought of a tweet I saw from the Anne Arundel Public Library:
“What if we read one book for every inch of snow that’s fallen on the ground?”
“Okay. How much snow do we have?” she asked.
I texted my neighbor who I knew would know. Within minutes I found out we had 17 inches! (That was at 11 a.m.)
“17 inches so far. So we’ll read 17 picture books. What do you think?”
“Good,” she replied.
“I have stacks of review copies I need to read in my office. What if I bring them in here and you select the ones you’d like me to read to you?”
“I like that,” she said.
I brought in piles of picture books and let Isabelle select the ones she wanted me to read to her. Next, we built the fort with blankets, chairs, and heavy-duty clips. (BTW: This is the best fort we’ve ever made thanks to the newly-installed baby gate around the fireplace in our great room.) Isabelle placed pillows on the floor. Then, the two of us crawled in beside each other. (We left Ari in our view, but we didn’t let him inside. We figured he’d pull down the blankets.)
We’re taking a break right now so she can watch an episode of “Super Why” while Ari naps (and I write). More books to come shortly!
**** Update: 3/14/17 at 11:15 p.m. ***
We read 19 books since we got 19 inches of snow. Here were some of the 19, which got a 👍🏼 from Isabelle and me.
Raising Literate Humans 
What a great idea. Love the fort and the book per inch. You may have just saved out afternoon. Thank you!
Love this post, Stacey! Funny, the cocooning feel of being indoors during a snowstorm had me thinking about blanket forts today too!
What mommy/daughter fun!
Looks like so much fun! Great book stack!
This will be one of her favorite all-time memories of time spent alone with you. And I’m sure it boosted her interest in books. And you had some much needed down-time as a bonus. Good thinking, Mom!
It was a stellar day, Barbara. I’m just achy from all that laying on the floor!
Such a charming post and so cozy in your fort. I love how you read a book for each inch of snow. This is a day Is suspect your daughter will remember and perhaps repeat with her own child years from now.
BTW, I have wanted to read A Horse Named Steve by Collier.
It was a lot of fun! I hope she remembers today fondly.
The internal thinking is done so differently in this book. You’ll be impressed when you read it.
Love this! Fantastic fort, fantastic book list. I LOVED The River So gorgeous!
I’m thrilled it got picked up by Chonicle and brought to our continent.
That is so much snow! Thanks for sharing all of these book titles!
That’s an amazing idea and omg so much snow !!!!
This sounds like a perfect way to enjoy a snowstorm!
Sounds like a fun day.
What fun for you both! I know she will remember this snowy day fort! Keeping it fresh on this stuck inside day:)
I saw that post on Facebook. What a fun way to spend the day with Isabelle. My favorite thing to do with the grand kids is reading to them. 19 inches of snow–Wow! We didn’t get anywhere near that.
Awesome, fun, and creative. This is probably the best way to spend a snow day.
SO much fun! This made me laugh aloud with joy for you and your kids!
Making a snow day into a memory day!
What a great way to spend a snowed-in day.
This was just delightful to read! What a fun day you had.
Love the tent and the idea to read a book for each inch of snow! What a great snowday activity! I think the tent made it extra special for you and Isabelle – just a perfect way to pass time quickly – so much fun!
Wonderful idea. I bet Isabelle will remember this for a long time! Wow-a lot of snow!
Colorado proportions!
Seriously?! Nineteen inches?! Wow! Glad you had stocked up.
I probably have another 60 or 70 books I need to get through!
Tying the number of books to the inches of snow was a great idea. Snow days are made for blanket forts, books, and I hope some hot chocolate.
what a lovely way to pass the freezing weather! That’s a ton of snow—good thing you all had such a great selection of books to keep you occupied! Making memories—beautiful.
What a great idea tweeted by Anne Arundel Library and I love the graphic. I think Isabelle will long remember the day it snowed 19 inches… and not because of the snow. 🙂
Pretty much everything is fantastic about this post and these moments. Forts? Read alouds? Snow days? Yes, yes, yes!
Awesome idea, Stacey! Have you guys read I Want My Hat Back, by Jon Klassen? Great picture book. Oh, and I love that tweet graphic!
I have, but Isabelle hasn’t read it yet.
Love this idea! A book for every inch of snow – my two favorite things combined! (We had FORTY INCHES OF SNOW here, so you can imagine my joy!)
Omg! I would’ve had to make the fort over my bed if we had that much snow. 40″!?!!? WOW!
Perfect idea!
This is fabulous! (Also, I’m so jealous that you got 19″ of snow!) I love the way you engaged Isabelle and love the idea of a book for every inch! ❤
What a fun way to weather the storm! And I love that Ari was able to chill long enough for you to have this sweet moment (or 19) with your first born!