Where has this week gone? - long post warning

Oh wow, I feel like each day is passing quicker than the last. Each day I think to myself, I must blog today and each day seems to happen and I'm onto the next before I've actually put a post up. Anyone else feel like this? LOL.

So this week started amazingly. With Andy away in London/Dallas and LA I decided to take the twins down to the snow before we missed it for another year. Dan stayed with my sister and Linn and it was just the three of us. It was magic. I had forgotten how much energy a 2 year old takes from you. The constant watching, playing, being with. By just having M&S I was able to chat to them and relax a bit more. It was a nice change (even if we did miss Dan!).

We got down there late on Sunday afternoon after a weekend of birthday parties! And got to see the mountain in all its glory. It looked seriously cool. The kids were beside themselves.

But it wasn't until Monday morning that we hit the snow. We met up with a friend of mine briefly before going our own way to try skiing. M&S were in their first lesson with another couple of kids and did extremely well. After that first lesson they still couldn't stop themselves so we didn't go any further onto the Happy Valley slopes, but had some lunch and then they did another lesson. Yep, at their insistance. They loved it so much. Matt particularly. He just wanted to be on his skis. Half way through this lesson, Sarah lost it so I ended up stopping my own skiing and she and I just hung out. We made snow angels. Teeny tiny snow men and threw snow balls at each other. Here is Sarah before the meltdown. Matt in the background....

 

We met up with my friends and went back to their lodge. Wow, what an experience that was! I'd promised the kids some tobogganing but it was pretty nasty weather by now (including snowing!!!!!!! What the?!) but we went out anyway.

The next day the weather had really closed in. But we hit the slopes anyway. I decided the kids wouldn't really learn too much more from group lessons and so booked them in an individual lesson. It would have been amazing if the snow wasn't blowing into our cheeks like bullets. Sarah didn't last long, but Matt just wanted to keep going, so we let him. He skiied all the way down the Happy Valley slope by himself. Stopping by himself and then going on the chairlift with the instructor. He was beside himself when he joined us again. This photo was taken just after he got off the chair lift and skiied down around towards me. He's doing it all by himself!

 

It was soooooo amazing as a mother to see them grow and develop in such a new experience. Such a new environment. Such an unusual environment. I was so proud.

I also felt the best I had in a long time. I'd worked out that I've been sick on and off since May (a really long time!) and while I was still wheezy at the mountain, I just felt great. The fresh air, the fun, the new things the kids were learning was just what I needed to make a break from the norm.

Because the weather was so bad, I decided to leave at 12 instead of 3 so we could get all the way home, not just half way. Matt didn't want to leave and cried all the way down the mountain. I really felt for him. But by the bottom was getting a little peeved (hmmmmm, understatement?) so pulled over to the side of the road, told him he could cry and scream as much and as loud as he wanted, until I counted to 10 then that was it. And it worked. LOL!

Unfortunately he also got car sick on the way home. He started complaining after lunch and after several "Mum my tummy feels sore" we quickly pulled over when that changed to "Mum my tummy wants to vomit". And sure enough he had a wee experience getting to know a patch of grass a bit better. Poor wee mite. I'm sure though that it was the mixture of milk shake with juice around those bendy roads! None of our kids are normally car sick.

So that was Sunday, Monday and Tues. We had a very eventful Wednesday after our cat brought in a rat on Tues night. I trapped it in the lounge but then had to catch it. Suffice to say it took a whole day and I was pretty stressed by the end of it. Thankfully Dad came and helped me catch it (and it was big!) but the kids had fun having picnics in Dan's room. LOL. I guess these things are sent to test us.

Thur was good as Andy got home after 11 nights away. Ugh. Such a long time. But all good. Just so nice to see him.

And now we're up to Friday with another big day. But that can wait for another time. I need to go make a cup of tea and sort out some stuff for SENZ.

Are you guys ready? Are you looking forward to it? Can't wait!

Later.

PS: Tomorrow is world cardmaking day. There is going to be lots of inspiration around the scrapping world. But if you wanna see some cool stuff from Stampin Up! Come back here in the evening.

For lots of Fiskars inspo, check out the Fiskars ANZ blog.

Comments

[Hannah]

Wow, a busy time you've had! But it sounds like the kids really loved the snow and skiing! I'm impressed with how well they did, amazing really how quickly kids can pick up a skill like that. My boys were a bit unsure about having a lesson when we went down last month, so we will wait until next year.

[Debbie Y]

It sounds like you all had a great time at the snow and your kids did so well with the skiing too. Well done! My kids would love to see it but in QLD there isn't much change of that happening, lol. It was 27 degrees here today and we're in for a warm one by Sunday (about 31 degrees). I think I would prefer some snow!

[ruth]

love the mood of that first pic! Sounds like you guys had afantastic time at the snow.

[Vicki]

Didn't they do well with their skiing. I think we may have left it too late for the snow here but just might have to go see.

[Trace]

What an awesome time you all had Trina. So do you think Matt will be asking Santa for a set of skis now? LOL.

[Kirsty]

What an awesome experience for them both. Well done you for taking them on your own :)

We had a great time in China - thanks for putting us on to Paul, he was great. (There's a rundown on my blog).

[Jane]

Those photos are great. I love the mountain shot. It's beautiful. Matt looked so happy. Bummer about the weather not being perfect but it didn't matter anyway. You'll have to take them next year.

[Vicky]

I'M proud of them! and you for your fantastic mothering! Looking forward to hanging out next week!

[Jenny E]

Trina! We took the same photo at about the same time on Sunday evening. I was staying in National Park because I was fetching my son home. It was a glorious day up the Mountain on Sunday so I'm glad that it was good on on Monday too. The weather up the Mountain is so changeable as we have discovered this term.

We regularly get mice inside so we have an empty jam jar in which we trap them and put them out.

[Jenny E]

For those of you who still want to go skiing, the word up there is that the skiing will happen well into November. See my photos here: http://engel4nz.blogspot.com/2008/09/home-again.html

[topkatnz]

Wow the skiing break looks and sounds fantastic - I'm glad to hear that you are feeling better after such a long time of being 'below par' - sometimes just keeping going can make you axhausted!! Gosh I remember our cats bringing in huge rats at our last house - just awful!! take care.

[Penny]

Wow - lots happening in every way. The mountain visit - what an experience for you all. :)

As for the rat... euuuw!