1/19/13 Ski Jump Day

Tough day....I was really sick last night, getting up a lot thinking I'd throw up, and with unusually bad (even for me) diarrhea. The kids were reticent and difficult this morning, with Katrina in a full-blown snit about not wanting to go out to ski. I knew better and insisted we all get out the door, and sure enough, it turned the day around.

Gabriel and I couldn't get our groove on today, and conditions were much much icier than two weeks ago. But we found our sweet spot practicing jumps -- he said he was working on "guts" and was pushing himself to try one jump repeatedly, faster every time. This pushed me to try a series of 5 jumps in a row, which included some very jarring landings! I'm ignoring the serious threat to my back, it was just too much fun.

After picking up Katrina and Julian from lessons, Katrina wanted to ski again and again, all happy now. Her good mood didn't last long, she was grumpy and didn't handle setbacks very well, like navigational errors that resulted in me digging her out of ungroomed areas.

Julian's chronic ignoring of instructions really wears on me too, he has to be told numerous times to do the most basic things ("carry your skis out of the lesson area now" "don't throw snow in front of the lodge door" "no, this is the last run, go take your skis off"). I'm sure people who don't know him think I'm really awful, because I go right up to him and repeat sternly, "NOW YOU MUST GO DO WHAT I SAID."

In fairness, I'm thrilled to say that Gabriel is only an asset now: he unloaded all our skis from the ski rack today!

But I did manage to get a few photos that makes it look like the whole day was a peachy blast, without the intense workload of nanny, valet, waitress and shepherd. (What would it be like to just ski and have fun, without all the surrounding struggle?)

Gabriel.

Julian. Look like he's about to crash, huh? He did!

Katrina apparently was taught in her lesson today to hold her poles together in front of her with both hands, leading to some odd-looking positions!

I was subject to the vagaries of the photographer, and my back is absolutely certain I took some jumps today that were way higher than this. But what fun anyway!

Not sure how I got this -- in general, the kids have gotten so uncooperative about photos together, never mind with me in them. Somehow, I pulled these off.

The trip home was marred by some black ice in a shady curve on a windy downhill road. I felt the car slip, and thought nothing of it, that happens, just ride it out, but it started to slip back and forth. Since I was in a curve, I had to continue steering, and somehow the car got into what felt like a massive fishtail. It was awful, the rear end swinging around uncontrollably as it rocked so much it felt like we would roll (in reality I'm sure it was far from it), and picked up speed into the opposing lane. But in a flash, the car grabbed, and swung around in a spectacular 180, side-swiping a snowbank in my lane, facing the other way. I've never been in a fishtail like that in a car (motorcycles yes), and it was a horrible feeling, but as soon as the rocking stopped and the sliding started, it was clear we were headed for a safe landing and I just let it finish. A Jeep with two guys stopped and flagged traffic while I pulled back onto the road and drove home slowly, shaken terribly. Eeps. There wasn't even that much ice on the road, but I have new respect for it.

The kids took it all well, and after a few passing comments like "that was scary Mom!" they were right back to harassing each other as usual. After popcorn and hot chocolate at home, they headed outside for hours of snow play, which I actually joined them for, for quite some time! There are some huge boulders here them to play on, which are great fun to climb and jump off of (I got photos but I'm too tired now). The snow is sort-of walkable, but it's easy to sink in thigh-deep. What fun it would be to have snowshoes and actually hike up here.

I'm definitely counting on a better day tomorrow!

1/19/13

1/18/13 The Snag

I had our escape from the Bay Area for the holiday weekend carefully orchestrated: I'd arranged early pickup with the teachers, I'd worked extra and prepared coworkers for not being available Friday afternoon, everything was pre-packed and ready to go --

-- And at precisely 12:50pm today, I arrived at school to pick up the kids, expecting to hustle them out and straight into the car, in a determined attempt to beat traffic to the mountains.

And was foiled by -- would you believe -- a school lockdown ?!

Seriously! I drove past a somber-looking Sheriff into a totally dead-quiet school, and had to knock my way into the school office. The whole school district was on "Code Blue Lockdown" because:

Dear Parents:

We were contacted by the Sheriff’s Department around 12:45 p.m. today informing us that they were in search of two unarmed suspects in the neighborhood surrounding the school. As a precaution they recommended that we enter into a Code Blue lockdown.

As per our school safety protocol, the school site was immediately secured with all doors being locked and students remaining in their classrooms. The students and staff handled the situation extremely well and during this time the teachers were able to continue their lessons.

I get that Newtown was a huge deal, but now any petty thief in the area can shut down tens of schools for an entire day. GREAT!

Fortunately, there were a smattering of other parents in the school office to pick up their kids for various reasons, and at least those kids were released to parents. After all, a school truly can't keep kids from parents.

I only had to wait for two kids though -- one of them had already found his way into the school office prior to the lockdown. Guess who!

But this set us back a very crucial half-hour. Maybe it wouldn't have mattered, but for whatever reason, we paid dearly in traffic terms -- not so much locally, but we hit Sacramento rush-hour traffic squarely. Every "lane merge" turned into a painful 20-minute delay, and what should be a 3-1/2 hour trip was stretched out into an exhausting 5-1/2 hours of driving time.

The worst part was having to forego my fabulous dinner plan of take-out burritos at Taco Station in Truckee, close to our rented cabin -- we'd have arrived with dinner ready. Instead, we had to reduce ourselves to Arby's just outside Sacramento. Guess a yummy junk-food dinner (burritos) as opposed to a gross junk-food dinner (Arby's) was a silly expectation on a heavy travel day. On these days, flexibility is a must -- but I never thought I'd have to factor in a Code Blue Lockdown.

Snags and all, we made it! And are now happily ensconced in our snowy Truckee cabin, toasty inside while the outside dips into single-digits. The Plan is to ski tomorrow, but to tell you the truth, if everyone just wants to hang around and play in the snow, it will be hard to argue!

We're all so happy to be back in the snow and mountains!

1/18/13

1/17/13 The Lunch-maker

So, some kids are getting mature enough to make their own lunches. Actually making a sandwich isn't the biggest deal, but doing it voluntarily and without hefty protest is.

But what about a kid who makes someone else's lunch?! Katrina insisted on making Gabriel's sandwich for tomorrow!!

I had some rare, precious, and I think, very necessary time alone with Julian tonight....he's been getting in so much trouble. Then we peeked in and caught the cats in a silly state.

To everyone's delight, Katrina had a voluntary visit from a usually reticent character. Meow-stache is definitely warming up to us all individually, but for her to approach Katrina with everyone else there is unprecedented.

On the other hand, maybe she just smelled like ham!

1/17/13

1/16/13 The Next Food Network Star

In many ways, this years' annual work conference and "team-building" was in a not-so-great location: the facility was small and cramped and really not well-suited for a large group of corporate types. But it was held at a world-renowned culinary institute -- a genuine cooking school! I was thrilled.

Before the obligatory work-related presentations, I looked all around into the numerous kitchens, peeked into the pantries, and marvelled at the students and chefs in real chef whites. For certain, I've watched too much Food Network shows, I'm easily wowed.

In the evening, the "team-building" event was, of all things, a cooking competition! Each team got a whole kitchen and two real chefs to help!!

I counted -- 24 burners!

We all had to wear hats and aprons.

The teams were large, so coworkers who are better at thinking and planning on their feet than I am, put together the dishes. I relegated myself to sous-chef work, dashing around and volunteering to stir, flip and chop whatever anyone else needed. Quite a few people had a few favorite projects they regularly did at home, so I happily deferred and played a busy supporting role.

I had so much fun. This was totally my element. I didn't take command or anything, deferring to more leadership-types to do so, but had a great time in the intensity and barely-controlled chaos of a busy kitchen.

The final plating merited some more skilled photography.

My team didn't win the food competition, but who cared? Everything was delicious (our efforts were also our dinner), and totally fun to put together.

All that was missing was the cameras! Food Network, where are you! I'm ready!

1/16/13

1/15/13 Transitions

Tuesday night....without the kids, two nights in a row. This is never an easy adjustment, filled with mixed emotions, from being grateful for the freedom to longing for the activity.

I'm starting to notice that the kids are at their worst on "transition day," which happens 3 times a week given our current "2-2-3" custody arrangement. My growing "gut-sense" is that fewer changes would be better for them (no changes would be ideal but as we all know, that didn't work out), but I have no solid proof. Many people have asked about a week-by-week arrangement, but dad wouldn't even consider testing a trial period, so that's off the table for now.

It's different for me: the first night away from them is glorious; the second, not at all.

Between school schedules, holidays, summers and general life, I'm not sure there ever really will be a "regular" routine. "Change is constant" they say about parenthood, in all circumstances. No more so than now.

1/15/13

1/14/13 Lazy Sundays

One huge benefit of my ultra-early Saturday mornings is even ultra-er-lazy Sunday mornings....I've earned it! On Sunday mornings, no one has any intention of getting dressed or even moving in the single-digit hours. That's my kind of schedule. None of this "as you get older you can't sleep late" nonsense. I so can.

Oh, I know you're not supposed break the weekday routine on weekends, but really...it's Sunday! None of us really did anything substantial until past noon, and really, for so many Sundays, that's just the way it should be.

1/14/13

1/13/13 Smarts

Are men interested in smart women?

I was thinking about fixing up a male coworker (not someone at my company, but someone I meet with often) -- with a female friend. I can just imagine that conversation, telling him: "She's tall, blond, slender, very pretty -- " -- then I'd be tempted to add: "-- and really smart, two master's degrees, great job at a high-tech company, super-successful."

But does that matter? Are men interested in how intelligent, educated or accomplished a woman is? They'll all say that matters, but does it?

Even my first instinct is to describe to a man how attractive a woman is. The smart part is just an adjunct. If the tables were turned, to most women, "two master's degrees" would be a big plus -- but is it to men? Their ears shut down right after the "tall blond slender" thing, despite their PC protests.

That got me thinking....did it matter to the men I've dated if I was smart or not? I can think of two who I felt really, really knew me, who really valued my individuality and thoughts and humor and ability to relate -- perhaps even whatever "smartness" I have. I can also think of a few who were intimidated or put off by my ambition and drive.

Another female friend astutely points out that she feels the closest to a man when he appreciates her strongest and truest qualities -- and some of us brashly feel that might include "smart" (whatever that means).

Two men in my life who I know had/have total confidence in me, deserved or not, are my father and brother. They both really knew/know and love/loved me, for me, with all pluses and minuses. I always feel completely grounded and truly like myself around them. (Well, around my brother now; my Dad passed on in 2011.)

At work I feel like I'm gaining respect for being smart and thorough, despite so often being outside my comfort zone (in the "soft skills" categories). My job makes it clear where my strengths are: tangible details, not warm-n-fuzzies. Work is an odd place in which I'm surrounded by men, who depend on me to be "smart" as an engineer, yet also are taken slightly aback when I'm not "soft" as a woman. Though I'm aware that I always have to prove it, when it comes down to the dirty details, it feels good to find that people like and respect me -- maybe even regard me as "smart."

That helps me field this sort of comment:

If you don't understand how they calculate and apply the [ percent ] discount, I'm sure the [ business ] director can assist you.

Obviously I know how to calculate percentages, so that comment was intended only to condescend and degrade me. Nowadays these things roll off my back, but it'd sure be nice never to have to face that sort of unpleasantness. Men never do.

Insults notwithstanding, I know that if a coworker were to suggest a fixup, how smart or funny I am isn't the first thing that'd come up. For sure it'd be about my physical traits -- no doubt garnering yet more apologies for my petite stature. My personality on the other hand, I can see being presented as a caveat: "She can be pretty hard-core sometimes, brace yourself!"

Well, whatever. Anyone I fix up with any of my friends had better not expect a softball...and I guess it'd be the same with me. Not sure if that'd be better or worse!

1/13/13

1/12/14 The Playdate

Falling behind again here, but that's a good thing when you're too busy and having too much fun to write.

Saturday we had an all-day playdate Lance and Laura. Once again, I think I had more fun than the kids did. We cooked, yakked, had wine, discovered similarities, compared differences, talked about cats and work and dancing and all sorts of silly grownup stuff.

Laura likes to cook, so we had a yummy dinner -- grilled flank steak, greek salad, lemon-garlic green beans, bruscetta, homemade parmesan/basil crisps. OK OK, so it included the requisite mac'n'cheese for kids, but at least we grownups got to have something ... well, grownup!

Best of all, the kids had a great time together too!

1/12/13

1/11/13 Hard Work

I think I've worked harder this week than I have in my entire 15-month tenure at my "new" job -- holy cow!

Partly, I was off last week (though did a lot of work remotely), and partly, my most competent and highly trusted coworker was out of the office this week, so casual questions got directed to me. Normally I have at most one, maybe two, customer engagements in a single week -- this week it was five. That included two trips to Emeryville (a suburb of Berkeley and a total traffic nightmare) and pretty much consumed the whole day. Sound like a pain? I loved it.

A salesman at my company asked me how I felt about the pressure, and to my surprise, I answered honestly, "I like it!" I do work better under pressure. And I really like to feel like the work I do matters. I'm not curing cancer or alleviating world hunger or anything, but it is nice to see customers smile and nod and appear enlightened about something we -- and I -- can offer. The trust and faith people give me in my current job is wonderful -- a huge responsibility to be sure, but really a fantastic difference from my prior jobs.

As much fun as I'm having in the grownup world, I'm also very happy to have my kid-world back too today. Errr....what kid-world? They don't care about me -- just the cats!!

Incredibly, all these paws belong to just one animal. Pink pads are the giveaway to Mr. Tough Guy, Doodle.

Katrina invested a lot of time tonight to draw out reticent Mommy Meow-Stache -- with success! This kitty follows me around nonstop when there are no kids around, but she's definitely a one-person-at-a-time animal.

Meantime, uber-relaxed Zorro (who has picked up the nickname "Dude" which has morphed into "Doodle") was just hangin' out on the top bunk with the boys. Gabriel carries him up there, and then he just hangs for hours. This cat can take anything.

A nice juxtaposition of "grownup" and "kid" world -- happy customers, happy cats, happy kids. Just what I need to make me happy!

1/11/13

1/10/12 yummm.....

In the old days, cat food was just about going to the grocery store and picking up whatever was there. Nowdays, there's a huge gourmet selection and the accompanying skepticism about PetSmart and Safeway.

So what's a new kitty-mommy to do? I tried Trader Joe's tonight...and found pretty much what I found with the expensive stuff: one cat likes it, another one, eh.

At least my attempt attracted attention...

Sheesh.....you're cats! Just eat it already!!

Well, turns out, they did. Maybe TJ's is OK after all.

1/10/13

(p.s. despite my hard-core blustering, truth is, I really do want my dear life-saving soul-saving heart-rescue companions and friends to enjoy food...so I'm so glad they did.)

1/9/13 Dress-up

Over 6 years ago, the Title Nine catalog saved me. I was unexpectedly pregnant, feeling horrible, and daunted by the prospect of another baby. But a photo of one of their real-life "models" sitting on a surfboard with an adorable toddler standing on the end of it, made me think, "this could be OK." I almost wrote to Title Nine at the time to tell them how that photo inspired me, and how someday I'd want to be a "real-life" Title Nine model myself!

Fast-forward one wonderful little girl's life...now 6 years old, and she likes to wear dresses. Me....not so much. Like, never.

But somehow, a friend and I got chatting about dresses, and what better source than the Title Nine catalog. Photos like this so work for those of us who can't bear to be restricted by fashion.

I actually want to wear this dress when I look at this picture (hoodie notwithstanding, I don't like those...nor 3/4-length or bell sleeves, too low-cut, wrap-style, V-neck, or empire waistlines -- not that I'm picky or anything). just like some years ago when I saw the woman sitting on the surfboard with the toddler, I thought it might be OK to be her.

I'll reserve judgement until I actually see one of these dresses on my friend, who wears dresses very well....but you know, right now my life is all about making changes, re-evaluating, exploring, finding new sides. Who knows, that might even include wearing a dress once in a while. Between this favorite catalog, my friend, my daughter, and my inspiring mother, that should be enough critical mass to consider it!

But what about shoes....

1/9/13

1/8/13 Me and G, June 2012

A friend just posted this photo she took last summer -- every photo of me with a kid is a huge treat for me -- and someday, perhaps for them too! Thank you, Lisa!

June 9, 2012, Rio Del Mar beach, Santa Cruz CA. Mom and 10yo Gabriel

Sure wish I hadn't lost that hat about a month later!

1/8/13

1/8/13 The pink dress

A lovely, shiny, colorful, pretty dress from Bonne Maman!

For the record, I had nothing to do with this "outfit" -- not that my own are much better. This photo barely even shows the bright-light-blue Christmas socks -- the final proof of how relaxed I am about fashion choices! Katrina was insistent, clear and focused on her clothes today, picking them last night with no indecision, and carrying through with unwavering clarity this morning. I wouldn't dream of trying to steer her toward a choice that might, oh, I don't know, matched.

Picking battles around her brothers' behavior and rudeness on the other hand.....ugh. I've really had it with their ignoring and defying instructions, rudeness, arguing with basic rules, ignoring consequences...I had a big blowout with both of them tonight, stood my ground and it turned ugly, but it needed to. I really am DONE with being talked to rudely, with condescension and lack of respect -- from everyone in my life. At work, I'm treated with courtesy and respect and kindness, even when there are challenges to my opinions or suggestions. I've HAD it with all else. How did I tolerate anything less for so long?

But right now, let's admire Katrina's wherewithall to dress herself how she feels like it -- I'm all for that!

1/8/13

1/7/13 If you could be an animal....

I forget who came up with this question, but it sounds like a Katrina-ism: "If you weren't a human, what animal would you want to be?"

This led to a fun discussion about what animals have it best, and hence which we'd want to be. Katrina wanted to be a tiger, Gabriel a cat, and Julian, believe it or not, a raven of all things -- so he could fly free.

I don't know, I think I'd want to be an animal that leads the most leisurely life, with little food stress or risk from predators. Honestly the closest I can think of to that is a domesticated cow....other than that being-led-to-slaughter thing at the end, they seem to have it about perfect. No cow ever had mounds of laundry or cleaning facing them!

1/7/13

1/6/13 home again!

Made it home, no problem for once! About the most peaceful drive I've ever had. Unprecedented. The kids were mostly focused on seeing the cats again. I'm not so sure the feeling was returned!

Does reality have to re-insert itself? I was so enjoying the heavenly world of the mountains!

1/6/13

1/5/13 sugarbowl day 3

OK, now we're in the groove -- and finally arrived "early" today! Katrina objected to a lesson, but once she's there, she's fine. Besides, her and Julian in lessons mean that it Gabriel and I can go to other places.

(top of Mt Disney)
Don't be impressed; we only went on the shortest, easiest run from there ("Market Street"). I just couldn't get a groove on today. Some days are like that. I had one final good run, but then we had to make our way back to pick up the other two.

After lunch, I dared to take all three of them up to Mt Lincoln, where Julian and Katrina had both been in their lesson today. This isn't actually all that hard, but the panoramic views and dropoffs on both sides are a little freaky. And no green ways down.

And it was crowded. The foremost three in the first photo are the three kids.

After getting down from the very top, Julian led us through some alternate paths.

I was surprised how readily Katrina followed her brothers through the trees!

What's wrong with this picture? Does this kid ever look where he's going?

We made our way back to now-familiar Judah, where Katrina promised me a photo of her on a rainbow box.

(Yes folks, this is the child who three days ago spent the entire day on the magic carpet....ugh!)

At the top of Mt Lincoln....I'd never ever have guessed even last year that we'd all be here!

SOO much fun! Though the kids roll their eyes about these photos now, I know they'll treasure them someday. I certainly do now!

1/5/13

1/5/13 placeholder

much to write and blog, but I've cut a fingertip and it makes my whole hand throb. turns out, it's pretty hard to type without an index finger, and actually many other things are greatly complicated too. such a tiny injury wreaking such havoc, spent much of the evening icing it.

(this is on top of a cut on my wrist, another cut on the side of my hand, a burnt right thumb, and still-sensitive fingers from 4 days ago when I froze them trying to dig out of powder. this just hasn't been a good trip for my hands.)

also car got stuck in the driveway again, this time barely 10 feet from the road. any attempt to drive it forward only made it slide back further as the wheels spun. knowing I only had about 2 attempts before it would slide into a snowbank again, I was just barely able to get it out by putting my passenger rubber floormats in front of the rear wheels and wood pieces behind them, and gave it the gentlest forward drive possible. the car fishtailed and wheels spun well past the icy driveway even in 2nd gear, must have been ice in the treads or something. gabriel was instrumental in this rescue by telling me it was the rear wheels that were spinning. such a kid, all 56 pounds of him offered to help push it out!

such great days skiing at sugarbowl! can't believe how much we've all advanced since the first time here.

heading home to the flatlands tomorrow sniffff, I'd rather stay up here in heaven!

ok my achy hand has had enough!

1/5/13

1/4/13 Sugarbowl Day 2

OK, we're in the groove now...I think! Once again, a late start, but we got there in time for afternoon group lessons.

To my delight, Katrina got the same teacher as yesterday. This meant no explaining, no cajoling, no over- or under-stating her abilities, no speculation -- a known quantity. As a result, she had another terrific lesson and advanced her experience and confidence tremendously -- if not skills so much!

She's so small compared to her classmates...she had lots of trouble pushing herself to lifts, but once they're moving downhill on the slopes, she's right there with everyone else. (That's her, second in line in her lesson.)

Meantime, Gabriel and I went off to play. We headed for Mt Lincoln, where Gabriel dared me to tackle a mogul-run. He had a lot less trouble with it than I did!
Gabriel on "Vanderbilt" at Sugarbowl:

It was so fun that we came around and did it again, and this time he filmed me. I had a much harder time this time around, but not as bad as another guy, to whom I was oblivious!

Turns out, Julian was tackling his first moguls too, same mountain, different run. This shot I took from the lift (he's at the top, green jacket).

On the way down, Gabriel and I hit our first half-pipe too. That was fun!!

Boy, skiing sure has changed since when I was a kid....moguls, trees, terrain parks, half-pipes...this stuff just wasn't commonplace when I was a kid!

After Julian and Katrina's lesson, I shifted to "watch-kid" mode and we all went on Mt Judah. I really appreciate Sugarbowl for this: an easy lift with several runs and terrain parks, where everyone is happy and I can keep track of all of them. I give the boys instructions, with 95% confidence that Gabriel heard and will follow them, and 10% confidence that Julian did.

Julian had learned about a "gully" in his lesson and wanted to show Gabriel. Poor Julian tries so hard to dominate, lead and be in control, but he had to have Gabriel as an older brother! It just never works. Julian showed Gabriel the off-piste route, but Gabriel had no trouble with it and lost Julian quickly.

But by then, I'd lost Katrina. She's so bent on showing off how fast she is that she doesn't wait! I skiied as fast as I could to the bottom, scanning constantly for her, but must have missed her. She'd fallen after a jump, and arrived a few minutes later crying. So brave, but still such a little girl.

As we were all finishing up, our route took us through the mini-terrain park, where Katrina did her first rainbow box! I missed the shot, but did get Julian following suit.

Now lifts were closing, and our ski day was done.

It's about now I can imagine that "real" grownups can relax, break open beers, climb into hot tubs, tell tall tales about the day...not me. I shift into caddy/waitress mode and struggle mightily to get everyone de-skiied and into the car. Julian creates twice the work of the other two: he doesn't listen, he ambushes them with snow, and when I repeat instructions, he responds unbearably rudely: "I KNOOOOOW MOMMMM!!" -- and then still doesn't take off his ski boots.

I wasn't done yet though: I had to brave the Truckee Safeway again (and I've never seen a more crowded supermarket than this one at this time), and then get everyone home.

After my towing debacle two days ago, I've been parking at the very top of the driveway, and then testing to make sure I could get out....but somehow today, I parked just a little bit too far back. And once again, I could feel the car sliding back. CRAP. I was stuck again, barely 10 feet from the road.

This time, Gabriel was there to watch, and I almost had him take video except it was getting too dark. But he told me it was just the rear wheels that were spinning, and the front ones not moving at all (except when rolling back). That irked me, but I had set that aside and focus on getting my car out. I tried the parking brake trick, I tried popping the car into 2nd gear, but nothing worked to prevent sliding back.

Knowing I had only one or two more tries before it slid back into a snowbank again, I used the rear floormats in front of the rear tires, and wood pieces underneath them, behind them. Somehow, I was able to barely pull the car out, fishtailing and spinning all the way up to the road. Thank goodness!!

Gabriel and I talked about it later. How is it possible that the front wheels weren't moving? He was certain of that. Ok, so there must be something about the traction detection or limited-slip or something that's not working right. Another clue is that when we'd first arrived, I'd pulled in forward and downhill, and was able to back up no problem out of that same driveway. Somehow, whatever wasn't working forward was working in reverse. And then there was that clunk sound I'd heard just before leaving...could that be related? Now I'm paranoid. So maybe this wasn't totally my fault for crummy snow-driving. If that's true, I'm sure in for yet more expensive repairs. Great.

Tomorrow, we're actually arriving early and skiing in the morning!

1/4/13

1/3/13 Three Ski

How did I ever get everyone to ski school by 8:00 before?? Seems impossible now.

This morning, I had grand plans to get to Sugarbowl by 9:00am, to get through the rentals and lines in time for a 10:30 group lesson, but no one -- including me -- really wanted to hustle this morning. So instead, I downgraded expectations to a 1:30 afternoon lesson. Even then, it was a real struggle getting everyone out in time, park, get rentals, and to lessons in time. I pulled it off, but it was close.

This time, I found the Level 3 instructor when I dropped Katrina off and implored him: "PLEASE PLEASE, I BEG of you, no magic carpet." The danger in doing this is becoming one of those parents who overstates their childs' ability -- I really truly don't mean to do that, but I just can't bear another day of the bunny hill.

Level 3 at Sugarbowl means poles, a first for Katrina!

(The REAL reason for poles, I realized later, is that there's so much walking to do between lifts, and this reduces the towing the instructors have to do.)

While Julian and Katrina were in group lessons, Gabriel and I skiied together. This week, Sugarbowl is only teaching first-timer and novice lessons for adults. Wah. So, lessonless, we were on our own.

Gabriel took some video of me practicing 360s. Getting there, but far from smooth.

We didn't venture far, sticking to the terrain park and tackling Sugarbowl's two intro black diamonds. One isn't groomed and had developed moguls ("Steamers"), which seem right up my alley, but I learned last year I stink at moguls. Gabriel gave me some advice from a lesson he'd had last year, and he whizzed right down, so I followed suit with trepidation. Such fun that we did it twice more!

Another skiier sprayed me with so much snow it almost knocked me down from my precarious paparazzi spot to film Gabriel going down "Donner's Way." He's looking stronger this year!

I dared myself on three features at the terrain park, including a rainbow box. Like many things in life, they're the most scary getting on and getting off. I'm pretty sure they're really meant for younger people who've never thrown their backs out, because even a short drop makes for a hard landing. Another woman about my age cheered me after I made one of them though!

When I picked up Julian and Katrina from their lessons, I learned that Katrina had made it to the top of Mt Lincoln -- Sugarbowl's highest peak! This time, she was the weakest in her class, and her many beginner tendencies held her back (leaning back, the pizza wedge). But I was delighted that she'd had a great lesson and got some real seasoning under her belt. The lift up Mt Lincoln is a fairly serious one too, with long drops and steep slopes. Good for her!

We all did one last run together on Mt Judah, where I attempted to get photos of all three. Not easy, because Katrina took off so fast that I only got one of them together....and then I could barely catch her! Julian couldn't either -- I was surprised, he truly could not keep up. Just like Gabriel, she just bombed straight down, not bothering with turning or stopping.
(Gabriel complained later about having to stay behind her though :). Only once, just for my photo-op!)

She also aims for little bumps and jumps too.

I miss the freedom of them in all-day ski school, but it seems less necessary than before. I'm OK with two free hours with Gabriel, and it's becoming a lot of fun skiing with all three of them!

1/3/13