Seven-year-old Chase Gauthier of Jennings was among those across Southwest Louisiana experiencing snow for the first time on Tuesday.

“I couldn’t sleep last night,” Gauthier said. “I was so excited. I couldn’t believe it when I got up this morning and saw all the snow.”

Over half a foot of snow fell across much of Jeff Davis Parish with Hathaway reporting as much as six inches, according to The Weather Channel. Unconfirmed reports noted as much as 10 inches in Jennings.

With no school, Gauthier spent the rare snow day having snowball fights with 4-year-old sister Ou’Arii Jones or creating snow angels in the thick snow.

The amount of snow took Gus Bishop by surprise.

“I feel like the Grinch,” Bishop said as he watched the children chase each other in the snow. “Their teachers kept telling them it was going to snow, but I kept telling them we weren’t going to get that here.”

Four-year-old Mollie Marceaux of Jennings was not too sure what to think of her first snow as she played in the powder with her parents, Crystal and Zachary Marceaux.

When asked what she thought about the cold, Mollie could only reply, “It’s cold.”

Her younger sister, Piper, wouldn’t even venture outside to see the snow. She watched her family play in the snow from the front door and only asked for a cup of snow.

Mark Manuel watched his neighbors play in the snow from across the street with amazement.

“The only thing I can think of is ‘Wow,’ ” Manuel said.

Manuel stayed awake most of Monday night waiting and watching for the snow to fall and it did not disappoint him.

“It’s a winter wonderland out here,” he said, looking around his snow covered yard. “We’re not used to that here.”

The heavy snowfall left the streets of Jennings mostly empty Tuesday as many restaurants and businesses remained closed. Schools and government offices also closed for the day with many remaining closed tomorrow.