The Poo wound up in my bed again last night, and we slept the night through wrapped around one another. I finally rolled over this morning and groggily opened my eyes, taking in dark sky and gloom of the bedroom.

Looking at the clock, I expected to see a number like six or seven.

Instead, I jerked upright in amazement – it was 8:45 a.m., exactly the time we should have been in the car on the way to school.

I half-heartedly tried to rouse The Poo, thinking we could call and say we’d be late. But she stubbornly slept on. Even Mr. C was still asleep, and normally he bolts out the door at 7:30.

We lay in bed, the three of us, snuggling and wrapped in blankets. The Poo finally woke at 9, pointing silently to her open mouth.

“What is it, Poo?” I asked.

“Food,” she replied groggily.

Rather than rush her out the door, I called her teacher to say we wouldn’t be there today. It is so dark and rainy, really a perfect morning to do nothing. I have a new sewing machine waiting to be opened, and my sister planted a notion in my head yesterday, when she told me she and her daughter made chocolate-cake cookies.

So we’ll stay home and bake, maybe even do a variation of the craft I wrote about today at GNMParents. After lunch I’m babysitting for a friend, so we’ll make our way across town after mac n’ cheese and some soup for me.

I’m learning to slow down, to savor our days. And sometimes, playing a little hooky ain’t such a bad thing.