this is the place: The Most Fun Non-Skiing Skiing I've Ever Done

Earlier this winter a neighbor sold us a bunch of used toddler ski equipment for dirt cheap. We were debating whether or not to take Asher skiing this year and wouldn't have done it if we had to buy new stuff (just not worth the risk that he wouldn't like it!), but when our neighbor listed everything we'd need for next to nothing on the neighborhood website I jumped at it and we were the new owners of a bunch of beat up toddler ski gear! We took Asher to REI and got it all adjusted to fit him and were so excited to take him up to the mountain to try it out. All we needed was some fresh powder and so we waited...

And waited...

And waited...

Until FINALLY there was snow. We got Grandma Jane to baby-sit Sienna and packed up all of the gear (ugh, so much more work when you add a two year old into the mix) and drove up to the mountain. We were about five minutes away when I mentioned something about needing to buy some sunscreen when we got there. I made an off hand comment about not bringing my wallet and Jeremy's eyes got huge with the worst realization- he had forgotten his money clip! UGH. He never forgets it. Never. The one time he does, we are about a million miles from home with an almost three year old who is beyond excited to go skiing for the first time. All we could do was laugh and then try not to cry. Jeremy made some comment about wishing he could use PayPal or something and then it dawned on me! Jeremy's brother would save the day- we called him and he called Guest Services and next thing we knew there was a loaded gift card waiting for us. Joel is always the hero- it's just his personality. He comes through in the clutch- it's practically his middle name. I'm very grateful for Jeremy's baby brother.

So then the fun part- which wouldn't be the part where we got Asher all dressed up and ready to go and he cried until Jeremy carried him and his own skis while I carried Asher's and my skis for the miles we had to walk from the car to the mountain. It was at this point that I thought there is a reason people don't start skiing with their kids until they are at least 5 years old, if not 7! But anyway, the fun part- we finally got our lift tickets or more accurately our "Magic Carpet" tickets (nothing magic about it- you could walk faster up the "hill" than this thing takes you) and we were off. Asher loved it. It was freezing up there- a 20 degree day, but he was not dissuaded- he was a skier and boy was he proud! Jeremy and I never got to put our skis on. Not even once. I'll admit to some disappointment there, but never before have I ever so much fun not skiing.