“No worries, buddy. Just be careful.” Shawn has a fondness for all the littles and middles of our group.
“Let’s make snow soldiers!” Carlos calls out, and Noah is totally on board with his fist bump.
“Snow soldiers?” I ask my group of friends, and they just shrug.
Marcus and Jasper join us by the stairs in the yard. “It’s the boy version of a snow angel…I think,” Marcus says.
After a few minutes of watching them make poses like soldiers in the snow, instead of wings. I let out a gasp when I see Carlos pull his pants down just enough to imprint his dick in the snow.”
"Carlos, you're going to get frostbite on your light saber," Jasper says, rolling his eyes while Noah loses his mind with laughter, falling to the ground in a fit of hysterics.
"I have to admit, calling his penis a light saber is a surprisingly effective distraction from Noah feeling like he needs to do the same," Marcus says with his hand on Jasper’s shoulder.
I don’t know how Marcus and Jasper have the energy for those two.
While the energy in the yard starts to simmer down from play time, it’s then that I notice something shift in the atmosphere. The snow that was falling gently in large flakes moments ago is now swirling in white. Their movements are deliberate.
Kai, dancing in the wind, giggles out, "Whoa! It’s tickling me!"
“Me, too,” Ben says, opening his mouth, trying to taste them.
"It's getting colder," Caleb whines, his voice a high-pitched siren song of impending hypothermia. He runs up to Barrett and clutches his jacket to try to steal his warmth.
"I think my toes are turning into icicles," declared Ben, his eyes wide with theatrical drama. He wiggles his foot in my direction to demonstrate, as if that would provide evidence of needing warmth.
My own toes, I have to admit, are engaged in a silent protest against the cold. I’d layered us both up this morning like I was preparing for a polar bear wrestling match, but the chill seems to have found a way in.
“Alright, alright,” Barrett announces, clapping his hands together with more gusto than I felt. “Operation: Get Warm is officially a go!” He points to the back door of the house.
A chorus of cheers erupts from everyone.
Inside, I lead the little brigade towards the hallway bathroom to wash their hands while Marcus tends to thefireplace. It’s a newer system, and he only needs to flip the switch to ignite the flames.
Shawn declares that he’ll set up the mountain of blankets and cushions around the television. There is a basket of toys in the corner, filled with stuffed animals, coloring books, and cars, for anyone who wants to play while getting warm.
Leading my crew back into the living room, they all settle around on the floor cushions and blankets. Kai goes over to a duffel bag in the corner and pulls out an Elsa doll before joining the rest of the group. I notice Ben looking at it with wonder, but he doesn’t say anything. His cheeks turn red, and I am sure it’s not from the cold we escaped. Does my sweet boy want a doll?
So much to still learn about my sweet boy.
“Can we have a movie, Daddy?” Caleb asks shyfully.
“Yes! One with singing.” Ben adds.
“And magic!” Noah puts in his two cents' worth, his eyes gleaming with the feverish anticipation that only a healthy dose of Disney can induce. He’s hugging a yellow dog stuffie that is wearing pajamas. He doesn’t go anywhere without it when he’s in middle-mode. Part of me wonders if Noah leans more to being a little than a middle.
“Maybe a dragon? Or beast?” Carlos hints.
I chuckle. “A beast, huh? Well, I think I might know just the movie where you all can have singing, magic, and beasts.” I wink at Barrett, who is already scrolling through his streaming service until landing on Beauty and the Beast.
“This very living room, on days like today, has been known to have a little magic. Especially if you’re all really good, it will make pizza appear,” Jasper calls out.
Carlos pops his head out of the blanket. “Extra pepperoni?”
“Have we met?” Jasper winks.
“Of course. You’re my daddy.” He giggles before hiding back under the warmth of his blanket.
“Pizza has been ordered. You guys enjoy the movie, and we’ll let you know when it’s here,” Barrett says, as the daddies head into the kitchen, leaving the littles and middles to enjoy the show.
