It had snowed all night, and when Ruby looked out her window, the whole yard was covered in a thick, white blanket. She pulled on her boots right away.
Outside, her neighbor James was already building something. I am making a snow fort! he called. Want to help? Ruby grabbed her mittens and ran over.
They packed snow into big blocks and stacked them into walls. Ruby shaped a doorway just big enough to crawl through. It took a long time, but they kept going.
By lunchtime, the fort had three walls and a lookout window. They could sit inside and see the whole street. It felt like their own secret hideout.
James brought hot cocoa from his house, and they sat inside the fort sipping it. Steam rose from the cups into the cold air. This is so cool, said Ruby.
Ruby's little sister wanted to join. She is too small, James said. But Ruby shook her head. Everyone should get to play. They helped her sister crawl inside.
Her sister's eyes went wide with wonder. She giggled and clapped her small mittens together. I love it in here! she whispered, as if it were a secret.
They played in the snow fort until the sun went down and the first stars came out. It was the best winter day any of them could remember.