text: The snowflakes felt like pellets hitting Alice’s face as she trudged through the snow trying to get home from school. Even Alice’s wool scarf couldn’t keep her warm in this blizzard. Her snow boots left prints in the fresh snow. She could even see some hail in the distance. Alice adjusted her beanie and continued walking. More like trudging. Once Alice got home she hung her soaking wet parka on a hook and walked into the kitchen where her mom was sitting drinking hot cocoa. The smell of freshly baked brownies filled the air. As Alice made her way to the dining table she noticed her mom had a painful look on her face. “Are you okay mother?” asked Alice in a worried tone. “There’s nothing for you to worry about hon.” her mother answered. As Alice bit into her gooey, melted, brownie, she noticed that her mom’s belly was bigger than usual. Normally Alice’s mother only ate the healthiest things like broccoli, salmon, and even cooked worms! That Alice thought, was disgusting. Maybe my mommy ate too many carbs and now she is fat! Thought Alice. Alice didn’t have the guts to ask her mom what happened, so Alice just washed her dish, put it in the dishwasher, cleaned her hands, and went upstairs. That night Alice couldn’t fall asleep because of the growling sound of the blizzard. She tossed and turned but couldn’t find a comfortable position. She could also hear the distant chatter of her mom and dad. It sounded as if Alice’s mom was shouting at Alice’s dad. 20 minutes passed by. Alice decided to think about the time she first went sledding to bring a smile back to her face. She liked to think about that moment whenever she needed help falling asleep or needed to calm down. It started off with her mom noticing that all of the good and sturdy sleds were sold out. Alice's mother bought the last sled at the store which was a small red sled made out of plastic that had cracked and rough edges. Later that day, Alice ran into the park with the biggest grin on her face. She found the steepest hill and climbed all the way up in her fluffy pink snow boots. There she stood at the top of the hill like a mountain lion standing at the peek gazing off into the distance. She took a deep breath in and exhaled steam like a dragon. She took a nice look around and then sat down in the sled and adjusted her position. It was still snowing dazzling snowflakes and the wind whipped through Alice's blondish strawberry colored hair. She pushed herself and the sled down a little and it was officially take off. Alice wasn't thinking about her troubles at school or how bad the sled was or how cold she was or even why her mom's belly was getting bigger. The one thought that was on Alice's mind was the how she felt free. With the wind through her hair and her nose getting redder from the cold, and even all of the snow that was collecting inside of her sled. There was no feeling like glossing down the hill feeling the nature surrounding you. There was nothing like it and nothing could compare. That was and will forever be Alice's most favorite memory and her happy place. Still even after that, Alice couldn’t fall asleep. Finally what seemed like hours later when she was about to doze off, she heard the loudest scream of her life. “I THINK I’M GOING INTO LABOR!” screamed Alice’s mom. She heard the distant rushing of her dad trying to find his phone so he could call 911. Alice pulled off the covers and ran downstairs. That’s why my mommy’s belly was so big. Thought Alice. It all makes sense now. 5 minutes later an ambulance arrived in front of their door. Alice’s dad had called Alice’s babysitter to watch her as Alice’s dad and mom went to the hospital. Alice’s mom got in the ambulance and drove away. “You are going to be a big sister!” said Annie, Alice’s babysitter. “I hope it’s a girl.” said Alice. “Whatever gender it is, you will be a loving, caring, old sister. Someday you will take care of him/her!” A couple hours later, Alice got a call from her dad saying she had a new baby sister! Alice screamed so loud and hard that a glass was knocked off the dining table. Another couple of hours later, her mom and dad were home. Alice got to hold the baby whose name was Sally. Dear Callie, Callie oh Callie i’m so glad we talked It was actually very fun when we took that walk You explained yourself without throwing a fit You were having a hard time and that was it I forgave you because what else would I do I’m just so happy that we are through Now you are there for me unlike before Cheers to more memories, memories and more I also listened while you talked, thank you for staying calm I just had to forgive you because after all, you are my mom Even though Alice's mom never told her she was going to have a sibling, it was a pretty amazing surprise. Alice now has an awesome mother, an incredible father, and the cutest little sister. Alice went outside to see if it was snowing but it had stopped. Something outside her front door was something magical, beautiful, and mysterious. That something was a Winter Wonderland. The flurries in the air, dazzled like lights Sun was shining just as bright Wind whipped just like when making cream Or cupcake and cookie batter, you know what I mean Snow coated the grass and was as fluffy as the clouds Children played around while the moms watched, feeling proud THE END and remember that snow is as magical as you make it. Have an amazing winter and start of the new year!