Sun Peaks

I have decided that my children will know how to ski. We live in the Northwest and when they are older, it will be a great way for our family to have fun in the winter. Also, I know it's something Jack will love. He seems to enjoy meditative activities without a lot of distractions (ie swimming) so I know one day, he will love skiing. It's a way he can be social (going with other kids) without having to be too social (you can't really talk when you are going down a mountain).

We traveled many, many hours north last week for 3 days of skiing at a lovely, very family friendly resort - Sun Peaks. The kids took lessons for two days and Ryan and I skied. We skied with the kids on the bunny hill the third day. I was pretty excited to see them skiing. They can't really turn but they can point their skis down the hill, make a pizza shape, and go. Jack generally uses snow banks to stop himself.

Oh Canada! You have great skiing!

Sonia says

Sonia: Mom, when I grow up, I am going to live in Hawaii. You can live with me and you won't have to work at all.

Mom: So you are going to cook, do the laundry, clean and take care of me?

Sonia: Yes! You can just lay in bed all day.

I am deeply ambivalent about Christmas

Christmas was lovely

We visited Phx for the first time in a few years this Christmas. It was lots of fun. We loved the sun. My mom cooked great meals and threw a fun Christmas Eve party featuring her famous lasagne. The kids loved playing with their ADORABLE cousin, Beaux. I hadn't seen my sister in 2 years. She made a deep impression on Sonia who later declared when she grew up, "she was going to look exactly like Aunt Katie. I'll wear black. We will be twins."  We visited the sweet new home my brother and sister-in-law recently purchased. We ate pizza then attended the Zoolights program at the Phx Zoo. The lights were spectacular and we were all impressed by the lights that seemed to dance with the Christmas music (they were coordinated to do that .. how does that work?)

I have finally decided (these things take me a long time) that it is important for us to be with my family at Christmas. It is worth the airfare and the hassle. We really only gather once a year and I am grateful for the occasion.

I want to cancel Christmas

I said this while Ryan, the kids and I were standing in the Disneyland-like security line at Sea-Tac a few days before Christmas. It seems the holiday anticipation makes my children miserable. The general population seems rushed and cranky and these two vibes hit me hard while standing in that line.  It's an annoying holiday at best. Our church had a service called Blue Christmas a few days before we left for Phx. It was for people for whom "Christmas can be a time of sadness." I attended the service and was confused that it wasn't packed. It was so comforting to be with people who are sad during the holidays. We cried together. I'll be there every year.