Hit the ground running!

We came back from our ski/visiting gparents trip to Utah and hit the ground running.  It was Spring Break, so we filled our days with fun-filled outings.  All of which included animals.  Apparently if you live in H-town, you need to pretend you're not city folk on your days off.  

Monday we went to the RODEO!  We scored some free passes, free parking passes and a free tour to the rodeo!  We went to the livestock part and even saw two calfs being born.  New life is always amazing - such a miracle.  We went with two of my good friends, Hilary and Kim and their offspring.  The older kiddos had a great time running around holding hands, checking out chicks, and running AWAY from us.  Lucas had already become a pro rodeo goer, so he was excited to show Reese & Isa the tractors.  The kids had a blast climbing all over the place on the tractors and pretending to be driving on a farm.  Sadly for them, their parents don't know the first thing about running a farm.  Diego, Matson and Jonah were good sports and basically stayed in their strollers the entire outing without making much of a peep!

Tuesday I had to work, so the kids didn't get an exciting outing.

Wednesday we went to the zoo.  A word of advice:  DO NOT, I repeat, do not go to the zoo during Spring Break.  It was a complete ZOO.  I have never seen so many people in one place.  I think I got the last semi-legit parking space.  We arrived early and met up with Erin B. and Hilary and one of my high school friends, Milena who had just recently gotten back from a 9 month trip around-the-world.  Milena was such a good sport pushing Matson's stroller around and indulging us by letting us talk about our kiddos galore.  We gave her lots of advice: sleep as much as possible, enjoy your cocktail, sleep, watch movies, sleep, go out to eat, and sleep some more.  

Thursday we went to the Houston Oil Ranch with our Spanish play group.  Isabella rode a horse - she was very adamant about riding the horse and not the pony.  She refused to milk a cow.  She paid attention to the talk about the utters and where milk comes from.  But when it came time to actually milking the cow, she completely wimped out - even when bribed with stickers.  She also refused to feed the cows.  Diego on the other hand loved it and squealed at the cows coming up to our wagon.  The best part we saved for last of course - the train ride around the pond and more farm animals.  Isabella really enjoyed it and wanted to go on it again.  We had to jet as Diego was soo ready for his nap and I had to get ready to go to the Elton John/Billy Joel concert that evening.  

Finally it came to Friday and Isa woke up asking me where we were headed that day.  Umm, nowhere sweet pea.  Mama is TIRED.  We stayed in and didn't get out of our pj's until the afternoon.  It was a much needed catch up day.  I think three big outings in one week is plenty.  

Isa takes her family to Utah

Papi, why is it cold in Utah?

Papi, why is there snow in Utah?

Papi, why is Utah far from Houston?

Papi, why isn't the man in his seat?

Papi, why did the man come back from the restroom?

Papi, why did the man leave the plane?

 

Those are the sounds of traveling on a plane with Isa to Utah, pretty much like that nonstop for 3 hours.  But of course, it's a small price to pay to spend a relaxing week in Utah and teach Isa how to ski for the first time.  Not to mention, answering "why?" questions is much easier than Mom's task, which is to calmly hold Diego for three hours.  Hand him to Dad, no way, Diego won't have any other seat than resting comfortably in Mom's arms.

So, on to Monday, Isa's first day at the slopes.  Sara's Uncle Mark kindly drives Isa and me from Sara's Grandma and Grandpa's house, up Logan Canyon, and up to Beaver Mountain.  It snowed that whole day, so it's always good to have a local personally drive you through the canyon leading to the slopes.

Let me tell you why I love Beaver Mountain - best snow on earth (or so the locals advertise their Utah snow, and I have to agree it's fantastic), lift ticket for half price ($38 for the day) and $19 for skis (or free to me, thanks to Mark for letting me borrow from his personal ski closet).  Pretty much can't beat the skiing and snow for the price.

Ok, so back to Isabella.  Mark drives us up the canyon for Isa's lesson at 12:30, and what happens?  Isa takes a nap for the first time in like 6 months!  I am ready to go and she's sound asleep and snoring in the back.  So, ok, I will go check out the lift tickets, rentals for Isa and the Wee Ski class for 3-5 year olds.  Ooops, the wee ski was at 10 in the morning.  No matter, I will take a few runs and then Isa can take a private lesson.

And I'm back... and Isa's still not awake so Mark has also taken to her idea for a brief nap.  One more run and then back to grab Isa.  No more sleeping, it's time to ski.  She's got her gloves, mittens, hats, and she is ready to get those skis on.  Papi, why can't I put on the skis in the lodge?  Isa, it's because... never mind, let's go.

Off she goes with her instructor, Deb.  It's snowing and pretty cold, but she's a trooper (both Isa and Deb).  Down the hill to the flats, learning to put on the skis, and then over to the tow rope lift.  Isa is skiing!  Then over to the big lift and down Gentle Ben, Beaver's easy green.  That's it for the hour lesson.  Seems like not much, but I can attest, when you're teaching a 3-year old, it's a slow trip down the hill.

Now it's Tuesday, my turn to teach Isa to ski.  Good thing I've been practicing skiing backward in a wedge in a hunched over position, oh wait, I'm a tax accountant.  But I'm loving it, watching Isa ski, her goggles taking up most of her face.  It's slow, but fun.  Ok, my turn, I say as I ski a few feet away; and now it's your turn, Isa.  And we go again, but this time there is no movement from the 3-year old.  What's wrong, Isa?  Papi, es que no quiero hacer, Whoa!  What, I ask?  Es que no quiero hacer, Whoa!  Ah, now I get it, "I don't want to go, Whoa, Daddy!  Translation: I want to ski between your skis, not by myself.  So, back I go to the reverse hunched wedge position.  Isa is loving it, skiing between Daddy's skis with her head leaning way back.  Make a pizza pie, I say, but it's no use at this point.  She's figured out the easiest way down the hill.  And of course, I'm delighted to help her get the ride of her life.  What fun I had teaching Isa to ski!

We'll be back next year, and hopefully, she'll be one of those little torpedoes who makes no turns from top to bottom.  And I can return to facing downhill...