I just came back from our annual snow weekend at Uncle Ronnie and Aunt Cheryl’s house in Vermont where we celebrated my Dad, Uncle Ronnie, and Uncle Billy’s birthdays. It is always a great time skiing, snowboarding, eating, and catching up with family. This was the first time my Dad went skiing after his knee replacement surgery in October. Nervous at first, but that wore off quickly because he skied all over the mountain including diamond trails. Aunt Cheryl was with her sister in Mexico and the weekend wasn’t the same without her.
This year Baby was old enough to go to snow school and take snowboarding lessons. My mom insists on their hair always looking perfect before leaving the house (even if it will be under a helmut snowboarding).
Because she was taking snowboarding lessons, Princess also wanted to take snowboarding lessons in snow school. This was a surprise because she has been skiing for the last two years. Grouchy Husband is so excited at the thought of being a family of snowboarders.
After everyone gets ready in the morning, we all walk down the driveway to the bus stop and wait for the bus to come take us to the mountain.
While we wait, we take photos.
And more photos…
The girls were signed up for snow school to learn to snowboard. Killington is one of the only mountains in the Northeast that offers snowboarding lessons to 3-yr olds. The girls go to snow school so that their whole ski/snowboard experience will be fun. At school, they play games, eat snacks, do crafts, go out for lessons with other kids, watch movies. The alternative would be to take an hour group lesson and then spend the rest of the day with Grouchy Husband and me trying to teach them how to snowboard. That would be miserable and they would never do it again.
I always find out the ski school itinerary so that I can peak in on their lessons. Baby was the only one in the snowboarding lesson. The instructor walked with her out to the learning area. Helped her get into her snowboard.
Pulled her by a string up the hill.
Gave her a little pep talk.
Then had her slide down. Then did this over and over again. It was adorable.
Princess also was the only one in her snowboarding lesson. She was much more polished. She was learning to ride her toe and heel side.
She even looked like a pro taking her boot out of the binding and pushing her way to the magic carpet.
After a day on the mountain, it is so nice to come back to the house, relax and eat.
The girls learned to play Heads Up on the iPhone.
They got makeup lessons from Cousin Sami. When the girls are old enough to wear makeup, Sami will teach them (and me) how to put it on.
Baby got life lessons from my brother.
She also learned how to play dominos from Uncle Ronnie.
And we celebrated another birthday year. I didn’t get to see this celebration because I fell asleep putting the girls asleep. I’ll have to remember to set an alarm to wake up in time next year.
Happy Birthday Dad, Uncle Ronnie, and Uncle Billy!
Cheers to maybe being a family of snowboarders,
The Dumpling Mama xo