And The Wind Blew

...such gusts that it was a white out at Trapps. The ski patrollers said that it was the worst they had ever seen in that notoriously windy field. There was no way that we could take the kids out there, despite Ava's protests that she could do it. 

Plan B: riding bikes in the school gym. Having a Dad that teaches school and has gym access during vacation is a bonus. 

Holiday Treats Overdose

It started a few days before Christmas and it ends tonight -- the gorging on peanut butter balls, fudge, Lindt balls, sugar cookies, party mix, candy canes. I'm all about indulging for the holidays, but we had our last holiday party tonight and the leftover treats are getting tossed out tomorrow. 

The girls have been taking advantage of my lenience with sweets over the holidays. But tomorrow, they'll see that the counter no longer has all the Christmas tins on it. We'll go back to our standard snacks of apples and yogurt and cheese and peanuts. We might have dessert and we might not. Until, Ava's January birthday. Then we'll have our cake and our ice cream, too.

Exercising Locally

Just when you think that you're doing a good job eating local foods, here's a new challenge -- exercise locally. I've been thinking of this concept after reading of a local Facebook group called Recreate Locally http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=40145583629&ref=mf

Cross-country ski season is the time that my family puts some miles on the car to go to the groomed trails at Trapp Family Lodge Nordic Ski Center (aka Trapps) in Stowe. Okay, we're not  going to give up going to Trapps, but we're getting smarter and doing some skiing across the street from our house this year. 

I have a confession: the land across the street is now being groomed by my husband, so it is a little bit of a luxury, but it takes me about three minutes to complete the loop. I just change my expectation for what my workout will be. Plus, it's great taking the kids across the street to ski instead of always loading them and their equipment into the car. 

On some weekdays/weeknights, I'm getting in a quick ski instead of staying home eating cookies. Lots of bonuses -- environmental, time saving, changing your fixed routine.

Think about it.

Family Race Day

Today was a first. Ava skied in her first cross-country ski race ever. Tom skied in his first of the season. I skied in my first race in a few years and Julia participated, too, between Daddy's legs for the downhill and on his shoulders on the way back. Yup, three separate races in one morning.

From a parenting perspective,  separate men's and women's races are great for sharing childcare duties.  I'm not usually up for all the hype and preparation for ski racing, but I figured if my four-year-old was going to race, I could muster up some energy to do a race. Plus, I knew they'd be able to play in the indoor pool with Daddy while I raced inconspicuously on a tame course without a lot of spectators.

I have to admit that I'm a little envious of my preschooler's composure for races. She's relaxed, she moves along, and she manages to pace herself. Me: I get anxious, I have trouble riding a flat ski, and my heart starts pounding like mad on the uphill. 

But, I think I might be up for another race, especially if we find another kids' race. It's a cool feeling knowing that we all raced. And the girls loved their prizes -- lollipops.

Snow Games

Today, I fell on Julia while we were skiing. Okay, I didn't smoosh her. We were barely moving and my skis slid out from me. We both went down and I mostly landed on her legs. 

Meanwhile, older sister, Ava, and Daddy were out playing chase on skis -- the perfect scenario for a parent teaching a child to ski. They had a ski clinic admiring them. 

It's hard to be starting all over again with a child that spends more time on the ground than on her skis. She's done with the pulk. We learned that the hard way with screams and kicking legs and loud protests of  "I want to get out. I want to ski." 

We're praying for some decent snowfall so we can let Julia walk on skis in the tracks. For now, just playing in the snow outside the lodge is okay, too.

Pee Ski

Fortunately, it didn't happen on my watch though I was probably to blame. Just as I skied across the field at Trapps, away from my husband and kids, free at last, Julia peed right through her snow pants. She told me she had gone to the bathroom before we got in the car, but I guess I can't trust everything that a two and a half year old says.

The good news for Daddy was that after changing Julia into dry pants, he convinced her to ride in the pulk -- a major feat these days. Looks like we're in for some challenges this season as little sister wants to be on skis like big sister but doesn't last long.

As for me, I got in my solo ski. It's great to see the kids making strides on their own skis but there's nothing like being on my own, high in the hills, where it is oh so quiet.