Persueing new interests

We have so many new opportunities these days. Maybe its not clear whether its because we are in America, maybe its because the boys are getting older or maybe these time are just moving on from my own childhood? The last few weekends we have tried skiing out with the boys. Since we had children we have skied a little bit. Paul on his own mostly and then I went out for a few days whilst my parents looked after them. I wasn't w=sure whether or when the boys would be up for it. Especially if you go skiing in Europe you need to be very committed as you usually go for a week. If the boys wouldn't like it, it would be a big issue. So here we have found a place an hour away where they have a mountain with a few runs for us and a ski school for the kids.

The first weekend we decided to stay in a hotel close by. So there we went with 2 suitcases, 2 car seats, a few bag packs - all for one night! Its logical with kids that you take a lot of stuff but I thought we had outgrown this stage. Unbelievable that for one night you have to take so much stuff. Helmets, ski jackets, sallopettes, ski boots. We were not being efficient as we also had our normal smart things with us - coming from New York you are just so used to look very smart. So we got it right the next weekend when we just put all our stuff on and didn't care what we looked like!


Thomas was convinced he could already ski. He had practiced a lot on the Wii so how much more difficult could it be? Well he hadn't realised the ski shoes would be such a hassle! He complained a lot on Monday after 2 days skiing about this strange feeling on his legs (muscle ache?). But in general they both had lots of fun as you can see from the videos. They are so keen to learn more and ski with us but they really have to learn at ski school for the moment. I saw parents trying to teach their children and noticed a lot of shouting!

Jasper was really a bit young, in fact too young for ski camp which started from 4. But the lady said : He is almost 4 isn't he? and it was difficult to say no to that event though he only just turned 3 in January! He had a private teacher even though he was in camp for all 3 times we have send him so far. It did catch up with us a bit on the last Sunday when we really wanted to see how they got on. Jasper wouldn't stop crying after I left so in the end I had to go up and down the 1m down slope with him the rest of the afternoon.

Being in America its not wonder they call things different here and the ski terminology is Pizza for the snow plough  and french fries for straight on... food is always on the brain here!

Finally, Thomas has also started learning some new sports at after school. Gymnastics and sport sampler where they learn lots of different sports. We decided on gymnastics as it runs in the family and he likes to stand on his head. It was good to hear he cannot demonstrate everything at home 'as its quite dangerous mum'. He did show us something but he is getting a little confused between learning week 1 (rolly polly) and week 2 (headstand)! I am not sure what he learned at sport sampler as he didn't share much, maybe next time? Now I have to get them ready for the Olympics spirit as its approaching fast.