Thursday, January 26, 2006

The Great Ski Adventure

I have had SUCH a hard time blogging lately. Why?? Well, we have picked up a new hobby..."homeschooling." Kidding...it is not a hobby, but a new practice in our house that is so consuming of time and energy. There are many many reasons...another blog in itself, but bottom line, it is amazing and for now, exactly what we need to be doing.

In addition, I have been doing last minute training for my 2nd half-marathon. It was last weekend in Austin, TX and it was amazing. This too is its own post....to be posted soon.

But for all who wanted to know...St. Louis (as the boys call it... "ST. LOOLISS")

Here is a great picture of us on our first ski trip! THIS is the picture I will scrapbook. But alas...Do not be fooled. It was staged. It's a farce, a lie, NOT as it appears. Here is the REAL story.
Skiing was an adventure...a disaster...the funniest and maybe most taxxing thing we have ever done! We left at 6:30 when Chuck got off work and didn't check into the hotel until well after midnight. But the next morning, we were SO excited! We went and had a good breakfast, ran back to the room and spent the next HOUR putting on ONE MILLION articles of clothing...socks, long johns, sweats, bibs, shirts, coats, neck gaitors, etc. We then left for the slopes. We arrived at 10:30 and all we had to do was put on helmets, buy lift ticket and get skis/boots. Not too hard, right?

WRONG. an HOUR and a HALF later we reach the top of the bunny slope with our skis on. Chuck and I gaze out to assess the slopes, meanwhile Zach and Charlie fall to the ground and assume "snow angel position" Maybe we should've stopped there- they would have been perfectly content. Hindsight is 20/20...unfortunately, we were suffering from snow-blindness.

Charlie immediately starts sliding uncontrollably toward an injured skiier on a gurney. We get him and bring him back and meanwhile Zach has lost both skis. We get Zachs skis back on and someone had to pee. We go pee and then are REALLY ready and we hold them by the shoulders and slowly slide down the mountain.

THAT WAS OUR BEST RUN OF THE DAY.

Charlie decides he MUST go on the ski lift ---our reply: NO WAY!!!, Zach decides he's tired and "falls"...that's about it.

Charlie is crying, Zach is laying down. So we decide we ARE skiing some more. We look up the hill and realize we must get up there by tow rope. The ONLY way to get up the hill is to hold on the the rope with BOTH hands (it does NOT slow down for you!) This leaves you to hold kids BETWEEN THE KNEES AND THIGHS. WE are hunkered over them, their skiis are flopping behind us. Charlie learned to ski--with a little leash like harness around his shoulders...it was the ONLY way to keep him with us. It was GREAT! Here's a great pic of Charlie and Chuck with the harness....

This is Chuck and Charlie coming down the mountain...

We had to HOLD Zach up by the jacket as we skiied him down.
This is me and Zach. I am simply standing trying to get him to stand up. Just lock his knees for a moment. Look at the leg on the right. Notice it's backwards. Do you know how long it takes to get a TODDLER ski turned around? You must first lift your own ski up high far to the side...now while standing one one leg...correction, ski...you must then bend over and grab his ski and turn it around withOUT losing your balance OR sliding down the mountain. This is ASSUMING that the child will put ANY weight on his legs at ALL
I am actually skiing slowly with Zach--notice the skis are BEHIND him.


The whole ski adventure lasted around 45 minutes.

Friday, January 20, 2006

Storm Troopers


We are taking the boys on their first real ski trip in February. We are going to ATTEMPT (key word) to ski in Canada at Whistler, British Columbia. Chuck and I are a little apprehensive at how the boys will do in ski school in 20 below weather with all the garb they have to wear. So, we are taking them to "practice" skiing this weekend in St. Louis where they have fake snow.

We have been practicing wearing our bibs, mittens, coats, long johns, neck gaitors, and finally, helmets and goggles. I was most worried about that. I was afraid that they would boycott, but they think they are the coolest baddest beings on the planet! They call themselves Rescue Heroes, but secretly, I think they look just like storm troopers!

Don't they look like they could save the planet???

Friday, January 13, 2006

To Jail

Today we went to Little Rock to go to the childrens museum...Even though I raced to get home across the bridge before traffic, I got stuck. It took us 45 minutes to cross...and there was an ambulance that passed. I thought both boys would be fascinated by the sirens, but instead they said, "WHOA...there's a policeman!...and he's taking someone to JAIL!" Sure enough, next to us in standstill traffic was a police car taking someone to jail.

The conversation went something like this (as I tried not to goon and said thanks that the back windows were tinted.)


Why mom?? Why is he going to jail?

Well, I guess he must have done something really bad.

Really bad, Mom? He did something really bad?

Yeah, it's got to be really bad to take someone to jail.

Long pause, and then a VERY serious voice..."He must have hit his brother."

Thank you, God, for the precious (and hysterical) innocence of my children.



Thought I would add a sweet pic with their Dad.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

A little (different) perspective

A little perspective, a different perspective...in this case, they are one in the same. Charlie and Zach got a camera for Christmas so their photographer/teacher mom could teach them to take pictures. I know, probably crazy...BUT Charlie has really gotten into it and LOVES taking pictures! Actually, he is pretty good. (especially for a 4 year old!)

What amazes me more than anything is the different perspective from which a 4-year old takes pictures. First of all, from waist level, secondly...he takes them of EVERYTHING! (go digital!). The most amazing, though, is the reaction of composed adults when a 4 year old says "say cheese!" It is so different. I only wish we ALWAYS lived our lives without as much composure.


This is "peace out" Papa. Jes.
And from a different perspective. I don't think anyone knew the picture was taken.


Gram in her crazy mode. Who knew?

Hamming it up for the camera!!

Aunt Julie who always poses for a picture.

Me trying to get on his level.


The Dinosaur


Chuck being "The Dinosaur." This is a game played every night.


Aunt Lori being "The Dinosaur" (This animal has made quite the impact!)


This is my favorite picture that he has taken. I think it is really nice. Nice composition, nice perspective. Maybe a little talent there! I think I am a biased mom.

Challenge to everyone out there...have FUN in front of a camera! Aren't the pictures more entertaining?!

Monday, January 09, 2006

Gram's birthday party

FINALLY---I have downloaded my pictures from Gram's 60th party. Here are most of my favorites...

Here's a picture of ALL the family members who attended the party... I think technically it is a TERRIBLE picure-- look how the people in front are SO BIG!! and you can hardly see the people in the back.
But I LOVE that we have everyone in one picture.



This is my all time favorite picture from the evening.
























It was CRAZY trying to get a picture of all the kids...ok of my boys, Jake was very good about it.

Finally--after 14 shots, I got one that was pretty good...or is it that our expectations are lower because we were EXHAUSTED from trying to get everyone to look!

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Happy Birthday, Gram

Today is the birthday of my wonderful mother-in-law. She is 60 years old!...and you would NEVER know it. We threw a huge party for her last Thursday...with magnificant decorations (from Lori and Carey), food, a slideshow, and a scrapbook full of pictures and letters sent in to her from her friends and loved ones. Tomorrow I will blog the pictures from the party. Today---my tribute to Gram. ...for an AMAZING blog of the party, see www.jem.squarespace.com

Practical Pat, Medical Pat, mother, mother-in-law, friend, Gram. These are the hats you wear. They may be what you do, but they certainly don't define you completely. Inner strength, grace, beauty, a pillar in your family, a source of stability, a constant. These are the words that come to mind when I think of Pat McClain.

I love the way you love our boys. I am grateful for the way you have accepted me into your family as one of your children. More than all these, you have given me a gift... a gift far more amazing than anything I could have ever dreamed of.

You have given me the gift of my husband. For over 20 years, you fed, cared for, loved, prayed for, and carefully molded your little boy into the man he is today. I couldn't ask for a more perfect husband ...one that honors his Lord, respects those around him, adores his boys, and cherishes me. You and Papa have instilled patience, humor, work ethic, tenderness, and the same quiet inner strength that you have.
He is perfect for me. He is my best friend and the love of my life...and I give you credit. Thank you.

I love living close to you and Papa and I have grown to treasure our relationship. As I said, you are a constant...you rarely miss an opportunity to be there for your family. For us, that means sharing with you nearly every game, performance, birthday, or Thursday night dinner. As our boys grow into men, they will not be able to think of a memory not shared with you. I can't think of anything more special in a child's life.

So...a tribute to Pat McClain. I love you...for who you are and for what you mean to all those around you. May God bless you with the same peace, hope, and love that you bring into the lives of others.

Happy 60th Birthday...
Love- Stacy