Schlepping to the Ski Area
Step 1: Packing Lunches
You need to do this quickly because it’s already past 8am somehow. Make two peanut butter and jellies. Find some fruit and a vegetable or something. Crackers. Cheese. Yogurt. Put whatever you can find in there. Hopefully they’ll eat something.
Step 2: Get Whichever Kid is Happier Dressed
Wait. Not so fast. First you need to go up and down the stairs ten times looking for ski socks, layers, hats, mittens, ski pants, coat, helmets, boots (both regular and ski boots), and a bunch of other stuff. Now that twenty minutes has somehow passed–NOW you can get kid number one dressed while the other stays busy somehow.
Step 3: Do It Again for Kid #2
Repeat Step 2, only by now you’ve exhausted all the obvious toys, games, and other activities that would occupy their attention while you zip around the house looking for things. So you resort to putting on an episode of SciGirls. Or if it’s a rough morning, you put on something horrible like Ninjago.
Step 4: Get Yourself Dressed
Notice that this was not even close to the first priority this morning.
Step 5: Start Loading Up the Car
Hopefully you’ve still got at least ten minutes left of that show you put on earlier, because you’re going to need it while you run in and out of the house fifty times to pack up boot bags, skis, snacks, a sled, and everything else for the day.
Step 6: Somehow Coral the Kids into the Car
I honestly am not sure how I get the kids in the car most mornings. It’s not without a lot of blood, sweat, and tears I’ll tell you that much.
Step 7. Welp. It’s Now 10am. Better Get Going.
Not so fast. You need to run in to the house three more times to get water bottles, car snacks, and your sunglasses that you always forget.
Step 8: Listen to Super Annoying Kid-Music the Whole Way Up
This is definitely counts as part of the schlepp. It seemed so cool at first that the kids loved the Moana soundtrack. But hearing for the ten millionth time, it’s not so cool any more.
Step 9: You Park the Car! Hooray!
Nope. You still have to walk about a mile with two small children and three sets of ski equipment before you are actually near the ski lift. That’s what the sled was for (see Step 5), remember?
Would you believe me if I said it was all worth it? And that we’ll keep doing this every single weekend and vacation day morning, probably for our entire lives? It’s all true.
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Your hyperbole makes me smile. Going skiing with kids is something I do not have experience with. Your post makes me somewhat grateful for that. But the fun and memories made are worth it, every time.
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Thank you for your comment, Margaret! I assure you, though, that none of this is hyperbole. In fact, I’ve left out quite a few bits and pieces!
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I always dreaded the schlepping part and couldn’t wait until they could carry their own gear? But yes you are so right it is all worth it – fresh air, exercise and family fun! Can’t beat that!
Thanks for bringing down memory lane for a few minutes.
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I love the feel of this slice. I like how you decided to structure it. It feels like you’ve written a list and we are watching you check off each item. I like the way you have all of these tasks, the going back and forth for this and that, but that even though some of it isn’t fun, it’s just what needs to get done so that you can have another fantastic family experience on the slopes! A true motherhood moment.
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Just wait — soon enough they not only carry their own things … they will carry your stuff too. They even will drive you there and drop you off so you don’t have to walk the parking lot. it is worth it. It will be – and continue to be – your treasured family time. It will pay off – I promise. Mine are 18 and 16. My 18-year-old had “can ski on weekends” as part of his college search. He chose a school that is near lots of slopes and even has its own little mountain so we can visit and ski. Enjoy every moment!! It sounds like you do.
Clare
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Awww…. the thought of them carrying my equipment for me (and driving?!) seems simultaneously impossibly far away and probably all too soon.
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Wow! That was exhausting to read! Of course, it was unbelievably tiring to do. But, girl you are a superwoman! I promise it won’t last forever. But pat yourself on the back. They’re worth it!
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Love this real-life HOW TO. Yes it’s all worth it and yes, soon enough they’ll be carrying their own equipment and leaving you behind at the top of the mountain! Enjoy!
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