We've been saving money in our ski fund this past year and talking about how we the parents LOVE to ski - I was hoping that the kids wouldn't be disappointed or not like it! I wanted them to not get too cold or give up after falling. I was so worried about when and where that I finally prayed and said, "I'm going to finally pick a day and a place and I'm turning it over to you to help with the weather and the little things I can't control." I'm happy to report it was a success!!!
We thought about teaching them ourselves but thought it would be good if they had even an hour lesson but Ak was too young for some of them - so we enrolled them all in "Snow Monsters" which was a 3 hour kids program - it turned out to be a great choice! (and not much more $) We dropped them off at 930 am and they helped them get all their equipment and explained all the first time know how stuff - like getting your boot hooked to your ski! They split them into groups and took them out for an hour. Z and B got to go on an easy slope that had a chair lift - so they learned how to do that by themselves. Ak was in their discovery zone - a little easier spot where she learned to step on a magic carpet.
This time allowed us to see them but to go off on our own too! This was my first time skiing in 10 years! It was great weather and although it was a little icy in the morning since this snow is mostly packed manmade stuff - we had a good time! On one run D noticed we were by ourselves. He stopped and was watching me ski down the mountain and he smiled when he caught my eye . . . then right after I smiled back - he fell over. BAM! It was so funny! Like those romantic moments in movies where something sweet is going on and then suddenly the music changes or stops abruptly as something happens. My parents came with us and my mom stuck to the green slopes - so after a few runs there we took my dad on some blue ones. (that's me and him on the chair lift)
The kids got a break in the middle at 11 am - went inside for a snack then went back out to ski for another hour. When we picked them up at 12:30 pm - B wanted to go right back to skiing!!! But we told her we were going to stop for lunch - she reluctantly agreed. I was just glad they all wanted to go back out on the slope! The weather warmed up a bit and the sun melted the snow/ice a little on the top so it made it seem more real. :) We had to take our hats off it warmed up! Ak came down the whole green slope - but she did not like it so we took her back to where B and Z had their lessons and that's where she stayed. (either with me or Grandma who after a fall decided Akil's slope was just fine for the rest of the afternoon!) I think everyone should have an opportunity to ride a chairlift with Ak - she was so positive gushing how awesome it was and how this was the best first ski trip ever! :) She said it over and over. B and Z went with D and had some adventures . . . . Z did a cartwheel fall among other ones. .. . B fell off the chairlift right after she sat on it and it started to go forward and up . . . and since they lack slow down or turning skills - she plowed into some girl full speed - sorry! but they never said they wanted to quit! I took Z inside at one point for "some water" - luckily he communicated that it was hurting around his ankle and I was able to pull out his pj pants that had bunched up. You don't want stuff rubbing against your skin . . . see below - that is what happened to D. He noticed at lunch there was a small metal thing at the bottom of his pants that his boot was pushing against his skin. He moved it and it felt better after lunch - but the damage had been done and that night - Ouch looking blister!!!
We lasted on the slopes till 5 pm! It was a fun day!!! We stopped on the way home at Culvers and it ended a great day! We were almost home and I learned that during Z's class he had fallen while getting off the chair lift and slide down that part where you are supposed to "keep your skiis" up?!?!?!? No wonder why that instructor came over to explain it to us before we heard it from him . . . I didn't' understand that he slide down that side - I'm just glad it wasn't a steep drop off!!!
So many memories of learning to ski in Germany came back to me! Especially when the lodge started to make lunch. Being out in cold weather with food smells reminds me of all the times I was out at markets as a kid or outside for hours as a missionary. I feel so blessed to have lived there and to have had so many wonderful opportunities to see and do things there in that great culture! Thanks mom and dad for our adventures while we lived there!!!! I can't image my personality without those memories! Blessed, I feel blessed. For my past and that we were able to have this great day as a family!
So we'll be starting a new ski fund!!! :)
