Donny, a spirited boy with rosy cheeks and a mop of unruly hair, kneels beside a half-built snowman, his thoughts drifting to Mrs. Thompson's ice cream parlor. "I can't wait to try the new peppermint swirl today," he muses, brushing snow from his mittens.

Donny crunches through the snow, his footsteps leaving a trail behind him. As he nears the parlor, the sweet aroma of freshly made waffle cones fills the air, mingling with the scent of hot chocolate from a nearby café.

Mrs. Thompson, a jolly woman with a warm smile, stands behind the counter. Her apron is dusted with flour, evidence of her morning baking. "Ah, Donny, right on time as always," she greets him. "What flavors are we indulging in today?"

Donny peers into the case, his eyes wide with excitement. "I'll have a scoop of the peppermint swirl and a scoop of the chocolate fudge," he decides, his voice brimming with anticipation. "Coming right up!" Mrs. Thompson replies, her hands deftly crafting the perfect cone.

Donny joins them, his cone held triumphantly in his hand. Lila, a girl with sparkling eyes and a mischievous grin, teases him. "Only you would eat ice cream in the middle of winter, Donny!" "It's the best time," he retorts, savoring a bite of the icy treat.

Donny leans back in his chair, a content smile on his face. "Winter's more magical with ice cream and friends," he reflects, watching the snowflakes dance outside the window.