The Inspiration Behind "Bayou Babies and the Big Sneaux Day"

A story born from the magic of memory, motherhood, and a Southern sneauxfall

Growing up near Washington, D.C., snow was just part of winter’s rhythm. It blanketed the ground every year, closing schools, painting the trees white, and inviting a kind of quiet magic that only snow can bring. Later, when I went to college in Pennsylvania, it became even more common. Storms that lasted for days, icy mornings, and soft flakes that made even the busiest campus feel still for a while.

But as life took us south, snow became more of a memory than a season. My children, my Bayou Babies, have never known that kind of wonder. Only my oldest has seen it before, but as a baby and she doesn't remember. So when word came that a rare snowstorm was headed our way, something stirred in me. A mix of nostalgia, excitement, and the deep desire for them to experience what I once took for granted.

That morning, as snow began to fall over the South, the world transformed. The trees wore a dusting of white, and even the water seemed to shimmer differently. My kids stood at the window wide-eyed, faces pressed to the glass, squealing with delight.

They raced outside in mismatched gloves and puffy coats, their laughter carrying through the still air. They tried to catch snowflakes on their tongues. They built snowmen that leaned sideways. They threw snowballs that mostly fell apart midair.

“It wasn’t just about the snow. It was about watching them discover wonder.”

As I stood there, watching with my heart full, it felt like seeing my own childhood reflected back through them. That’s the magic I wanted to bottle up. The kind that sneaks into our days and reminds us of all that’s good and simple and beautiful.

That’s when Bayou Babies and the Big Sneaux Day began to take shape in my mind.

I wanted to write this story as a love letter to my children, to the South we call home, and to the fleeting moments that shape who we are.

So much of motherhood, and homeschooling too, is about trying to hold onto time. Capturing memories, finding meaning in the everyday, and teaching through the things that truly matter.

This book isn’t just about snow; it’s about connection. It’s about finding wonder where you are, even when it looks different than what you’ve known. It’s about slowing down long enough to notice the laughter, the light, and the love that fill our days when we’re really paying attention.

For me, Bayou Babies and the Big Sneaux Day is a reminder that childhood is fleeting, but its magic doesn’t have to be. It can live on in our stories, our memories, and the way we choose to see the world together.

As a homeschool mom, I’ve learned that the best lessons don’t always come from a curriculum. They come from life. From muddy boots and kitchen-table science, from late-night talks and unexpected adventures.

And sometimes, from a single day when the world turns white and time stands still.

From our home to yours, I hope this story brings your family a little warmth, laughter, and the reminder that even the rarest moments can leave the deepest footprints.

Because sometimes… the snow falls not just to cover the ground, but to uncover the magic that’s been there all along.

Author’s Note

Bayou Babies and the Big Sneaux Day is the first in what I hope will become a series of heartwarming stories inspired by our life in the Deep South, where family, faith, and a touch of everyday wonder meet the magic of childhood.

Pre-orders will begin soon, and the book officially releases in early December 2025—just in time for cozy nights, Christmas memories, and maybe even a little Southern sneaux magic of your own.

Thank you for following along on this journey. You can read more about our homeschooling adventures, behind-the-scenes moments, and future Bayou Babies stories on my blogs here at Southern Grace Homeschool.