If anyone ever tells you that they had fun taking their four children, ages 6 and under, skiing for the weekend you might want to check them for illegal drugs. I'm just saying.
It was difficult. A challenge. But we knew it would be. We went into it with our eyes wide open. We knew it wouldn't be like the days when it was just us skiing. The days when we would rotate time at the bar and time out on the hill. Oh no. Those days are gone.
We told ourselves that the only thing we wanted was for the boys to have fun. To get a taste of what skiing is, and hopefully, to enjoy it. They didn't need to learn anything. They didn't even need to remain upright. They just needed to have fun. And they did.
It is such a thrill watching your child latch onto something and go for it. To get excited about something and give it their all. It is exhilarating. I felt that way when Joey learned to ride his bike, and I felt that again this weekend watching my boys learn to ski. You can just see the confidence seeping into them. You can see them growing. Watching Todd take each boy out on the hill and seeing how brave, and positive, and coordinated, and patient, and happy the boys were was just amazing. They amazed me.
Ben had no fear. After one time down the bunny hill he was begging daddy to take him on the bigger hills. Tommy went down the hill with daddy a couple times and then decided he could do it on his own. And he did! Joey wouldn't even let daddy help and just took off down the hill by himself. I couldn't believe my eyes. I would have been happy just having them learn to walk in the ski boots and here they were zooming down the hill by themselves.
I wish I could have gotten it all on video but trying to hold a baby and keep two anxious boys occupied while they wait for their turn to ski with daddy was as much as I could manage. I did get a few nice pictures of each boy going down the hill from my window view in the ski lodge. I guess that will have to do. At least I have the photos as physical evidence of the momentous day.
Yes, there was a lot of sweat (on Todd and my part). Lots of encouraging and cheerleading and kudos. Tons of patience. There were three sets of snow pants, mittens, hats, helmets, ski boots, skis, and jackets to get in and out of all day. Many trips to the bathroom taking all of the gear on and off again. Todd's back was aching after many, many trips down the hill with the boys in between his skis, and then helping (dragging) them back up the tow-rope to the top. Grace was so sweet and mild mannered even though she was over-tired from not having a nap. By the end of the day the boys were pretty over-tired too. Well, we all were.
It may not have been "fun" for us, but the boys sure had fun. And that was all that mattered. Looking back, I wouldn't have changed a thing. I'm so glad we went.
(Joey taking off from Todd)
(Tommy and Todd going down hand in hand)
(Ben going down with Todd)
(All smiles at the end of a great day!)
30 comments:
SO sweet. I've never been snowskiing before, but I can tell you that just taking my three to the roller skating rink gave me nightmares. Good for you (and especially Todd)!
That is so impressive!
I'm so glad you all enjoyed yourselves!
How fun Kat! You two are very daring. Just the thought of going grocery shopping with kids intimidates me and you took them skiing! What great memories for them :-)
That's really wonderful! So glad they enjoyed it. It's a wonderful skill to have.
How fun! I've never been skiing-- so it's awesome that they are getting to experience such a fun sport at such young ages! Love it! :)
yeah - you are really brave. I would love to take my 5 year old for her first time skiing, but I think it will still be a winter or two until we get around to doing it.
We are taking the kids skiing next weekend. I hope I survive, like you, and write a post next Monday.
Too cute!
I still haven't attempted this, and I only have two kids, who are older. That sounds like a great day for your boys. Your expectations going into the day sounded perfect, and your patience is impressive.
The mere thought of three sets of snowpants, gloves, hats, mittens and ski equipment makes me want to curl up in the fetal position. You and your husband are saints!
Very cute! I haven't even managed to get the kids up to the mountain for some good ol' sledding...let alone skiing. Of course Ryder or I trying to teach the kids to ski would be pretty funny...I can't ski to save my life. The one time I went I had to go down most of the hills on my bottom...ha, ha! :) Getting snow clothes on and off of three little boys (over and over again!)is a true feat...you are impressive!!
I'm glad you had fun. I don't know if I could do it--just taking a 3 year old and a newborn to the Dells about killed me years ago...
Oh what fun! So, so jealous... my kids have never been in snow!
Teaching your children to skii must be like teaching them to play chess. It's not fun teaching them to play; however, later when they can, you end up having a great time. It just takes a lot of work on the font end.
It's interesting how going to the zoo or Disney or skiing is a lot of work with children. It's a totally different kind of fun without the kids.
I've always wanted to go bicycling through the Loir Valley in France. Except,now I don't want to go without the boys because we'd be saying, "Oh, So and so would love this." It's not complete without them even though it's more work.
I'm glad you had such a great time. "Fun" has so much more added dimension to it now, doesn't it?
I'm glad you guys had fun. I've never been skiing, I'm more of a "sit in front of the fire with hot chocolate" kind of girl.
How awesome! It makes me want to teach the girls to ski, but then I have never seen real snow and remember I don't know how to ski and it's SNOW and I get all freaked out again. One day. I have promised my husband one day he can teach us ALL how to ski. And the girls have promised not to laugh at me. That sounds like a wonderful weekend to me! Just look at their smiles!
Oh my goodness - I seriously can't WAIT to be able to do that kind of stuff with my family....I suppose we could right now but my kids are not the daring type so it would be pretty futile and frustrating to have to sit in the lodge with them while hubby was off skiing!! LOL. Way to go - and what awesome memories!
What kind of drugs?? ;-)
Wow skiing!!! Sounds like the boys had a blast! Love the last pic and all the smiles. So sweet!
Y'all are the best parents, I'm sure they had a blast!!! And can I just say that I think Miss race looks like you!!
Wow I'm impressed they are so young! Good job you guys. And what brave little men you have :)
What BEAUTIFUL children!
We're planning on taking our kids cross-country skiing soon! That's gonna be.... well, not fun, but it'll be an experience.
What BEAUTIFUL children!
We're planning on taking our kids cross-country skiing soon! That's gonna be.... well, not fun, but it'll be an experience.
Awsome.. Glad they had fun. Wish I could have learned.. I want to learn how to cross country ski. I cant do the down hill stuff. Afraid of heights....LOL.. But is a great experience for them..
And that last picture of all four kids -happy, healthy, big smiles -really says it all that it was a great adventure for all four of them -and equally rewarding by the words in your post for you and Todd too!
They already ski better than I do! :) I'm glad they had such a great time. And I'm sure the older they get, the more "fun" you'll have too :)
You are so brave. A few mom friends have shared their challenging ski stories with us recently, too. We hope to go next year!
Sounds like you all had fun after all though. I'm sure they will remember this trip for many years :)
i skied all through middle and high school, but pretty much gave it up after that (moving to the south definitely put a damper on the opportunities, as well!)
You are so much braver than me. There are so many things I can't do with two kid, let alone four. You amaze me.
And, you helped them make some fabulous memories.
Can you do me a favor and take my kids next time too? I grew up in a downhill skiing family and HATED it. Scared and crying every minute. For years. Finally, I had had enough and taught myself to cross country ski.
I taught my husband how to cross country. He never loved it, but did it to please me. That's totally out of the question for him now, and I have little motivation to drive to a rental place and then to the mountains to trudge through the snow.
so... when my son asked me a few days ago when we would teach him to ski, I laughed. I told him to go visit his aunt and have her teach him.
Worth a shot??
So glad it was a (tiring) success!
Post a Comment