Column: Just Add Water

Many people know that no two snowflakes are alike. There are flat snow crystals, stud snow crystals and even long needle-shaped snow crystals. When snow crystals cling together they're called snow pellets.

But did you know that snow only falls on about one-third of the Earth's surface, and that 1,027 inches of snow fell at Ranier, Paradise Ranger Station in Washington from July 1970 to June 1971? This winter, I wonder if we'll give the state of Washington a little competition.

As I write this, my kids have been out of school for 10 days because of the white stuff. That is about twice the number of days Franklin County schools traditionally close each year because of inclement weather. Five of those days were last week.

You may be wondering how my kids spent their free time.

Emma, my 12-year-old, learned to make waffles and teach an 8-year-old long division.

Cameron, my 11-year-old, learned to dribble a basketball through his legs and behind his back, seemingly effortlessly.

Madison, my 8-year-old, learned ... well, she learned long division.

Just when I thought the lessons were over and we were running out of fresh ideas, I came across a newsletter.

Last week on Thursday morning, I was posting another pointless Facebook status update concerning the weather. And there it was: The Hanek Town Newsletter.

"Hanek Town" is an idea my kids came up with a few years ago during summer break. Tired of the sun, the heat and even the pool, they decided to create a "town" of their own. There were a restaurant, a movie theater -- complete with concession stand -- and even a post office. They named it "Hanek Town."

I began noticing plastic boxes filled with fake money in the kitchen and basement. The kitchen became messy. There were dirty dishes left around and food wasn't always put away. It was then that I gave myself the title of "health inspector."

I informed our "town's" business owners that everything should be left as they found it or their business would be shut down. Surprisingly, it worked.

Best of all, the bickering and whining ended almost instantly while "Hanek Town" was operating. All three kids worked together and seemed to enjoy each other, too.

So, when I read in the newsletter that a movie was playing that morning at 10 a.m., I was relieved. When a menu for lunch appeared on the fridge, I felt sure that cabin fever wouldn't be a problem.

Last Friday, the snow began to fall in large amounts, and my husband and I decided to venture out to The Hub for a hot breakfast before the roads became treacherous. We knew we'd be stuck at home all weekend and wanted to get out one last time.

After a plate of pancakes, French toast, eggs and hash browns, we decided that every bite had been worth the drive.

Driving home was a different story. As my little minivan pushed up a short hill, I lost control and swerved into a ditch. We were stuck. It didn't take long for a few good neighbors and a man with a tractor to drag our car back onto the road. We took a very slow and careful drive home.

About 30 minutes later, we pulled the minivan safely into the driveway. Grateful to be home, I knew we'd survive another long weekend inside the house, and that going back into town again that weekend would be out of the question.

As I took off my snow-covered jacket and hung it up, my children discussed plans for a lunch menu in the restaurant. It was then that I knew, thanks to my kids, the town would be brought to us -- the next best thing.