he skis

Last weekend's invitation to Winter Park from the Lineberrys cemented that Ben would try skiing this year rather than next.  We knew we would make it happen next year when he's 3 because that's when ski schools start letting kids in but we had debated a bit about getting him up this spring to give it a go.

Every mountain house should have a moose!

We rented skis at a great discount thanks to Amy's season pass and that also meant a free lift ticket to the kiddie beginner area, Sorenson Park.  Prior to that free lift ticket we had planned on just shuttling Ryan and Ben up the mountain at Mary Jane with the car in a spot Ryan knew might work well.  Thanks to that ticket and the magic carpet, Ryan and his little skier buddy got to make lots and lots of trips up and down the little hill.  I followed them up the magic carpet several times in my snow boots and walked down beside them taking pictures.  
Ben seemed mostly neutral while actually skiing though he did ask to go again a couple times.  I'm not sure he really grasped what was going on in the moment.  Everyday since, however, he has brought up skiing several times and often utters, "bye-bye skiing" with a sad voice.  On Easter morning when I asked in an excited voice about what we got to do that day, (thinking he'd remember the long list of family coming over,) he smiled really big and said, "go skiing."
So, I'd say in the end it was a hit and the only question for next year is how many times???

Getting his boots on.  Ryan was in Daddy heaven. :)

Magic Carpet Ride

Tips Together Buckaroo!!

Ben thought that if Dada was bending over, he should too.

Grace decided to strap on her boots this day too, since Ben was going.

Coolest part about Winter Park for kiddos is that the train rolls right through.

He may have only loved it for the snow eating.

All Done!

Having a snack while Dada lunched.

He was one tuckered tike but happy just to be outside.

We finished skiing and Amy and I took Ben, Grace and Sara to lunch.  Lunch was followed up with an AMAZING rec center pool and VERY tall waterslide.  Ben was in heaven all day and his very limited attempts at climbing out of the pack and play that night were proof we'd finally managed to really wear him out.

Thank-you Lineberrys for an awesome couple of days!!