Adrenaline for the Guys
Heart Attack for Mom
The story begins at the top of the hill. I gently place my new camera (in it's case) on the snow. I turn around to see Will jumping belly first on his sled and starting to skid down the hill. I dive out in the snow and grab his leg. Slightly worried about the height of the hill I can't imagine how he'd gain an appropriate position on the handles with his body starting skewed on the board. Remember this is Will we're talking about. He's destined for a head injury at the best of times. SO, I pull him onto the level ground, adjust him appropriately, direct him to hold securly to the handles, point him down the hill and give him a push to start. As Ryan climbs the hill with the twins he gets a perfect close-up view of Will (who has been pointed directly into) taking a *JUMP* I had NO idea!
Now this was on one of the appropriately created sledding boards. Then there were the infant sleds that we used in years past to pull the twins around on. These little blue sleds are rated for children 2 years and under but they're so nice for transporting those with shorter legs that don't move quite as fast. We thought it would be okay to bend the rules as we were only going to transport them by walking right?
Actually, Ryan even openly expressed his concern about the use of these sleds. But the twins enthusiasm won his heart. Of course, I'd already been sent down the hill to take pictures. Ryan knows that it's in my own best interest to be given a project to take stress off my heart. And so, our little child, appearing similar to that of an infant, became the experimental case of a 3 year old, in an infant sled, being sent down the black run (in his Mom's opinion) without a helmet (I might add).
Here is the priceless result:
Now this is where I DO wish we could freeze this moment in time. Mostly for the innocence and joy in this young child's face. For (if you notice) directly below him in the bottom of the picture is a sled turning out of control with two appropriately sized boys to the hill. This was the last picture as I would take because I, like you, could predict what would happen next. Ryan was critical of my lack of picture taking but I had to be there to pick-up the pieces as Quinten flew ... not rolled, or smacked, or even bounced but .... FLEW over these two boys and landed indenting himself into the hill. Ryan stood at the top of the hill with some rather burly outdoorsy type men (who you will see in later pictures) talking amongst themselves: "Did you see that little kid fly over those guys?"
Well, we've made an impression in our first 3 minutes of being on the hill. And the boys loved every minute of it. The weather was beautiful for the event.
This is prep for Quinten getting 'back on the horse' (for lack of a better description. Take note of the burly men I was talking about :o)
Not as enthusiastic as he was originally. Cautious perhaps.
Mission Accomplished. Click on the picture to get good view of a precious face of someone who conquored his fears.
Onto our next guinea pig: Colby
Colby & Dad on the GT Snow Racer
We kept receiving hints that the twins had trouble understanding why the park was so cold. We told them we were going swimming on Christmas eve and they were disappointed when we arrived at the pool. Quinten made reference to going back to the car to drive to the lake. They also asked where the beach was. And this particular day (Dec 27) Colby asked us to bury him. So we did.
I love the opportunity to relive my childhood. Pieces of my memory I had forgotten about were quickly brought back by comments like Logan's. As we were talking about our choice to go sledding Logan took the opportunity to keep it real: "Mom, sledding is SO fun. I like sliding down the hill, I just don't like climbing back up."
I couldn't have said it better myself. I definitely have a vivid memory of dreading the big climbs.
Will
Quinten
Prep with Will
Another arrangement I was highly opposed to. This was the opportunity to take our two little men out in one blow. Not to mention, Quinten has a proven track record of being a terrible driver. And guess who's in the driver's seat?
It thankfully worked out. They made it down the hill in one piece.
Remember Will being sent down the hill directly pointed at a jump. Well, here's a re-inactment.
Logan who boasted about taking the jump 7 times during our visit to the hill
Ryan jumping on the GT snow racer.
Ryan AND Colby jumping on the GT snow racer. I don't believe they caught any air ... instead, Ryan said it felt like he blew right through it. I believe it appears that way.
