Just Say No

As the winter chill approaches and we prepare for the long hard drudge of snow storms, driveway shovelings, and power outages, we also prepare for our new winter life up north in Bretton Woods. Ski season approaches and I reflect on the first attempt of the kids this past March.

But first, let me explain that we work very hard to teach the kids how to speak correctly, because lord knows our teachers won't do it. It's not "You and me", but rather "You and I". It's not "Do it quick", but rather "Do it quickly". It's not "I gut it", but rather "I have it". And it's definitely not "nope", but rather "no". These are all just habits that need to be reinforced over and over so they learn and speak appropriately. (Actually, I just want them to get the answers correct - or answer correctly - on their SATs. I really don't care how goodly they speak.)

But I have to now admit that every once in a great while, speaking a little bit incorrectly is a better and more efficient way to convey a proper message.

Anyway, back to skiing. We had rented skis and the all-important helmets. We dropped the boys into a lesson where they swooped down trails with frightening monikers like "Peanut Butter" and "Jelly". Meanwhile, I walked Molloy separately over to an unnamed area that I affectionately dubbed "The Grassy Knoll". I would carry her up about 50 yards and turn her sideways, then walk back down and encourage her to maneuver downward. She would then come cruising down the slope with all the grace of a battleship steaming stiffly through the Pacific, at which point I would catch her and walk her back up. That lasted about 20 minutes.

Ski Bunny in Progress

The next day, it seemed like a good time to graduate them from Blue Circles to Green Squares (Ah...they grow up so quick...er, quickly!). Lev was excited for a greater test while Daniel was a little tentative. We took the lift up about three-quarters of the way to the top of the mountain, slipped out of the chair, and slid down the ramp. Daniel turned the corner, took one look down, and said simply, "Nope."

You know when you are coming up a mountain on a ski lift and every once in a while you see someone coming oddly alone down the other side? That was Daniel.

But Lev pressed on, slaloming down with big, slow, cringing arcs...berating me all the way.