Ski Days

2011-2012

Not too many "great snow" days to speak of this season.  

Here's to some of our best....

Jame-O loves hats of any kind, but he especially LOVES helmets.  He road from our house to Snowbasin in Jack's helmet last week.  It was killin' me!

 With ski buddies, Jake & Sam

I made it to the hill twice this season.   

One, was the coldest day I can honestly remember ever skiing.  Penny and I spent a great deal of time getting to know this fireplace.....really well.  It was so fun to see how much the kids had improved since last year, even if there was a break between each run.  :)  

Tom and I usually get one ski day (together) a year.  This year it landed on this one.....

It was too perfect for words.  
One of those rare, sunny, powder days that force me to remember why I make all the effort in the first place.  Please ignore the cheesy postcard pic....just trying to document.  And while you're at it, please ignore my helmet (Jack's, actually) that is clearly too small for my head.   

One of the (very) rare huge storms this year.....

Good times all around.

Pretty sure I just had one of the best "stay-withs" in my parental memory.

FYI- A "stay-with" is what we called it (growing up) when my parents came in our room at night to read a story, tuck us in, answer questions about the universe, etc.  I have no idea where the name came from.  Siblings?  Anyone?  I DO know that it often ended with my sweet Dad falling asleep on my floor.  

Anywho, this evening I went down to Jack's room to give him a "stay-with" and as I'm about to tuck him in he says, "Mom, Sam (dear friend and apparently moves like Jagger :) can do 'the sponge' so flippin' good!"  

"Cool!"  I say. "What's the sponge?"  

"Well, I can't do it, but it's kinda like...."  and he proceeds to do a move that can only be described as a cross between speed skating and fire dancing.   And yet.......I knew exactly what he was after.  It was a move straight out of a high school stomp circa 1993.  I wish (oh how I wish) I could remember it's name.  Anyone?  

I explained to Jack that I was oh so familiar with the move and that it had clearly been renamed. 

He didn't need to say it.  We both knew it.  Time to dance.  Don't hate.

 In a matter of seconds, we were breaking "it" down, step by step.  He's moving. I'm clapping (& possibly counting).  It was awesome...but....it wasn't clicking.  Bless his gangly, 10 year old boy heart, it WAS NOT connecting. He tried. and tried.  and tried.  For the better part of an hour, his heart wanted what his body could not deliver.  There was frustration. 

And then...........

He got it.  

We were both so excited - I'm slightly embarrassed to admit just how much! 

I will never forget his face when his feet finally figured out the message his brain was sending.  It was pure joy.  He and I have a tendency to butt heads.  So these moments of pure bonding can be sadly few and far between for us.  It had to be documented.  

I was so proud.  Love you Jack.  Thanks for the great stay-with.

P.S. Just did a YouTube search to check the move....it's actually called "the Spongebob" dance.  Who knew?  Pretty sure everyone.....but me.  I can't keep up.   

   

We just celebrated the 100th day of school this year.

 The whole 2nd grade dressed like they were 

100 years old.  

Could you die?  I mean, seriously.  

A little shocked that Penny joined in all the "silliness?" 

Me too.  

I think the idea of doning her great-grandmothers hot pink afghan sweater, my pearls, and a cane was

 just....... too.........enticing to pass up!

(Knowing she could walk in arm and arm with another sweet little granny, Eliza, might have helped too :)

It was truly one of the most adorable things I have witnessed.

Oh, how I love these creative teachers!