Shannon Stacey


Breaking SK’s little heart

Not looking good for my little guy and the New Hampshire Geographic Bee. Because Mother Nature does love her April Fools jokes, we’re getting a nor’easter tomorrow. Six to twelve inches of heavy, wet snow.

The drive to the college where they’re holding the event is long even when the weather’s fair, and only about half of it’s highway miles. And we got an email from the coordinator letting us know the show will go on, with as many kids as can make it. The bees are held on the same day throughout the country and can not be changed.

So now it’s up to us and we can’t say one way or the other until tomorrow actually comes. We’ve tried to explain to him that we can’t risk his life for a geography bee, but he’s ten. Daddy has four-wheel-drive. Daddy drives in the snow all the time. He just doesn’t understand. So now, if we wake up and my husband says it’s too risky, our son’s going to be devastated. Beyond devastated. And, unfortunately, it’s all on us.

Right now we’re hoping it won’t be too bad and we can leave early in the morning, leaving us about four hours to make an hour and a half drive. But there’s a good chance I’m going to have my arms full of disappointed, sobbing ten year old boy tomorrow. Dammit.

12 comments to “Breaking SK’s little heart”

  1. Limecello
    Comment
    1
      · March 31st, 2011 at 10:06 am · Link

    Oh dear. Hopefully it’s not too bad? We were supposed to get half an inch but got 4+… but since you said it was so warm yesterday maybe it won’t stick so much to the roads?
    Here’s to hoping the snow is minimal, you all get there safely and SK has a blast!



  2. Lorelie Brown
    Comment
    2
      · March 31st, 2011 at 10:07 am · Link

    Awww. Poor little ragamuffin.

    I’d be thinking about going down tonight & getting a hotel room. #momsucker



  3. Shannon
    Comment
    3
      · March 31st, 2011 at 10:23 am · Link

    We thought about it, but there isn’t much for motels in the area. (We’re not bed & breakfast people.) Plus, we have the dog, so my husband and SK would have to go without me.

    I’m hoping it won’t stick to the roads, but it’s cold today so who knows.

    I’ve still got my fingers crossed, but it’s so hard. If we go and have an accident….

    GAH.



  4. library addict
    Comment
    4
      · March 31st, 2011 at 1:46 pm · Link

    What a bummer!

    I’ll keep my fingers crossed SK is able to make the trip.



  5. Jewell
    Comment
    5
      · March 31st, 2011 at 4:55 pm · Link

    I’m in the very tip-top corner of NE Ohio, and our weather usually serves as a precursor to you folks. Not always, but many times.

    We received about two inches of Lake effect snow in a very short time and none of it really stuck to the roads. What we faced this morning was fog, and lots of it.

    I do hope this works out for SK. Sending June-type weather wishes his way.



  6. HelenKay Dimon
    Comment
    6
      · April 1st, 2011 at 12:12 am · Link

    Oh, man. What a bummer. My fingers are crossed for clear weather so SK can go.



  7. Shannon
    Comment
    7
      · April 1st, 2011 at 7:19 am · Link

    I think we’re going to go for it…



  8. Shannon
    Comment
    8
      · April 2nd, 2011 at 9:59 am · Link

    We went. The ride down was white-knuckle in some places and it took us a long time to get there, but it was worth it.

    Of the 100 kids, only 3 were 4th graders. The rest were 5th through 8th, with a leaning toward 7th and 8th. They were broken down into groups for the preliminary rounds (which we weren’t allowed to watch.) There were 18 kids in SK’s group and he came in 6th of the bunch. He didn’t advance to the final round (a 7th grader and an 8th grader did), but he answered five of his eight questions correctly and feels very happy about his performance and proud of himself, so it was a win.

    One thing I was really happy about? The way the older kids treated the younger ones. The 8th grader competing for the 3rd time who totally owned their preliminary round with zero wrong congratulated SK after and told him he did really outstanding for a 4th grader.

    I think that compliment from his “peer” did a hundred times more to help SK feel proud of himself than anything his dad and I could have said.



  9. Jewell
    Comment
    9
      · April 2nd, 2011 at 10:31 am · Link

    Oh how wonderful! That is a great showing against some stiff competition.

    And kudos to the older kids for such grace. SK now has a wonderful memory to hold forever. (Minus the drive, of course. LOL)



  10. Carin
    Comment
    10
      · April 2nd, 2011 at 11:00 am · Link

    I’m so glad he got to go! I thought of you every time I heard about the nor’easter – it was making national news!



  11. Shannon
    Comment
    11
      · April 3rd, 2011 at 5:07 pm · Link

    What’s really funny is that while we were at the Bee, it started warming and turned over to rain. By the time we were done, it was over and the roads were clear and most of the snow that had fallen was gone. By yesterday, it WAS gone. Like it never even happened.

    Gotta love New England in the spring. :)



  12. library addict
    Comment
    12
      · April 4th, 2011 at 1:32 am · Link

    Yay for SK!

    I hope he qualifies again next year. May have to get him a new lucky shirt.







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