Happy New Year - Welcoming 2012!

I'm going to admit this straight off the bat... we're lame.  We did nothing at all to ring in the new year.  As a matter of fact the kids were in bed by 9 and Josh and I went upstairs to read around 10:30.  Josh had his annual viewing of Army of Darkness much to my chagrin... I had hoped he would forget that this year but alas, he did not...and he had it preloaded on to the ipad.  Oy vey!  I was the only one still awake at midnight and it was because I was determined to finish my book.  However, we are staying in the middle of no where and I have no idea where a party would have even been found much less if we would have wanted to attend.  So a mellow New Year it was.

However, this morning started off much less lame :)  Aidan woke up and had lost the tooth that has been hanging on by a thread for weeks.  It must have fallen out during the night and we can only assume he swallowed it.  He wants to know if he lost it in 2011 or 2012 though since he was asleep and doesn't know if it came out before the new year.  I told him that I think it was 2012 because it sounds luckier to have lost it in the new year.  He was thrilled to have finally lost it... I'm thrilled to no longer hear about it or watch him wiggling it!!

The boys had their last ski lesson this morning at 9:30.  Who was the idiot who scheduled that on New Years morning?  Oh, me... ooops!!  They were both up before 8 anyways so it didn't really matter all that much.  And we were literally the first people on the slopes (those crazy Americans!) which was really nice.  It had rained yesterday and we were concerned the slopes would be icy but it was also warm today so it could also be slush.  Regardless, it was a nice day to be on the slopes where you didn't have to be all bundled up. 

 Liam has pretty much given up on skiing, sadly. He's pretty good at it but has absolutely no patience for it. We got him to go up twice with Josh on the beginner slope and I finally got some video of him coming down:    http://youtu.be/MyjKMIibrj8

Josh and Liam heading up to the beginner slope which Liam calls the Big Hill! 

The sun hitting one of the mountains in the distance - so beautiful!

So proud of himself!  And he loved watching the video I took of him going down, it motivated him to do one more run... but just one more.

View on the other side of the ski area

More pretty views

The boys' instructor took Aidan for the first half hour and then took Liam.  Aidan has been consistently doing the blue square run for the last 2 days and he did a bunch of runs down it with his instructor.  Liam had to be somewhat forced to do his last lesson but he did a great job.  Then Jean had us come inside where he presented Aidan with a booklet that he then stamped that he had completed the first level of ski school.  The look of pride on Aidan's face was worth it all.  Liam was disappointed that he didn't get a book but I told him that he had to practice more than just during his lesson in order to get one.  He was over it in about 2 minutes.

Josh and I took turns skiing with Aidan and then sitting with Liam who was playing in the snow. I really enjoy skiing with Aidan though he has already surpassed me skill-wise :) But it was fun to do something sporty with him beyond our usual tennis. And I know Josh has loved every moment of this week that he's been able to ski with his boys.

Aidan at the top getting ready to head down

Done with his hot chocolate and half of Aidan's orange Fanta and about ready to take a nap

Oh but look, they have lounge chairs for us to lay on!  And seriously it was warm in the sun that I could have taken my jacket off...

Liam and I getting ready to ski this morning...

We haven't really made serious New Years Resolutions yet.  I did tell the boys I would do my best to yell less if they listen more.  Though I say that every year.  We agreed we would all try to be healthier.  I'd love to get the boys out on their bikes or scooters more often.  The temps are still in the early 60s in Barcelona right now so once we get back on Saturday I'm hoping we can spend more time outside.  Josh said he would like for us to become independently wealthy this year.  I'm with him.  And then he said he'd like to spend more time as a family.  I told him essentially one begets the other - become independently wealthy and he'll have more time to spend with us.  We'll see how that one works out!  Liam agreed when I told him his resolution should be to stop using pull ups at night and to start getting dressed by himself.  Aidan is not making any resolutions because he told me it was dumb.  Ahh well, what can you do?

It's a little after 2 here now and we're back from the slopes and having a mellow afternoon just relaxing and watching movies.  We've started off the New Year on a high note and I hope it sticks!!  In just a few days we'll be celebrating 2 years of living in Barcelona.  It's hard to believe that we have been here that long already! 

Happy New Year to one and all!
Love
Julie

Ski Trip News... Aidan is Officially a Better Skier than his Mom!!!

The last few days have been spent on the slopes of La Quillane.  First off, I must correct a statement in my previous entry that Josh said was not right... the slopes of La Quillane has more than 2 ski runs.  I'm sorry, I was wrong, there just happened to be only 2 open the other day.  They have something like 5 runs.  It's HUGE!  Yes, that's sarcasm.  But again, it's totally perfect for myself and the kids so by no means am I complaining. 

I'm reminded of home this week where often times you hear this time of year about ski resorts suffering because they haven't had much snow.  I imagine it's the same here.  I know there had been concerns in Switzerland and this morning it was actually raining here.  The base at La Quillane is not that deep and so there were spots that seemed like there was some grass sticking out this morning.  So unless you are going up to significant elevations, you aren't getting a lot of powder right now.

But again, this is all fine.  Sure the conditions aren't perfect, but the types of runs available are exactly what we need.  And the kids are doing amazing!!  Especially Aidan.  I am in complete awe of how he has done in the last 3 days.  I can confidently say that after finishing his skiing today, he has surpassed my skills (not that that took a lot but I have been skiing a lot more than 3 times in my life). 

Liam on his own!

Josh giving Liam a hand...

Hey mom and dad!  Look at me!

Yesterday we came home for lunch and then Josh and Aidan went back to the slopes to do a full day of skiing.  Liam was pretty much tuckered out after his lesson.  It's fine by me if he wants to come back - I'm good with a mellow afternoon just him and I.  We took Jake for a nice long walk which was much needed for him and found a playground along the way that was a part of the neighborhood we are staying in.  They had some old style playground equipment including the merry-go-round like the kind we had at Frothingham Park when I was a kid.  He loved it!  And the view was absolutely stunning in every direction.

The neighborhood we are staying in has a mix of new chalets and homes that most definitely date back some significant years.  It's a nice mix of the old and new and more than likely they all have views of the mountains around us.  While our chalet is rustic, as a ski chalet should be, one of the things we've been enjoying at night is fondue!  The place came with a fondue pot and we are most definitely utilizing it!  Josh and I have been getting a lot of reading over the last few days - I think I'm on my third book already!  The kids have been loving the itouches that they got for Christmas - thank god for them!  Though I wish I'd brought other things to entertain them as well like a deck of cards and more books.  But they seem very content after a long morning (or day if it's Aidan and Josh) skiing to come back, chill out with some fondue and watch a movie on their itouch. 

Our chalet

Liam taking a stroll

In the distance an old church with beautiful church bells at the top

View of the mountains from the bottom of our street

And looking the other way

Liam has found the playground

The highlight while we were playing though were all the horses that walked by!

This morning we headed back to La Quillane for the third day.  The boys were supposed to have 2 lessons but after the first one Liam was pretty toasty.  So Josh and I took turns with Aidan for a while before he had his second lesson.  Once again, I'm amazed.  We took the lift up to the top and instead of going down the windy green circle that I liked, he immediately turned around and headed down the blue square... and he beat me down it.  Yeah, he's already better than me...

Cloud cover that looked pretty cool

Getting ready for their lesson this morning

More low clouds

Liam taking a "break" (he didn't get back on his skis after this)

View from the restaurant

Yummmm hot chocolate while Aidan has his second lesson

And a big snow pile!

Here comes Aidan

Because Josh is a much better skier, I sent him out with the camera today to videotape Aidan going down the hill.  These are some of the videos that he took:



http://youtu.be/UPG1wma9xKs

http://youtu.be/yi5zdHMTdfY

http://youtu.be/qlIdddwYPzo

We're not 100% sure what our plan is for the next week - we have the chalet til next Saturday.  The kids have one last ski lesson tomorrow and we don't know if we'll try another ski resort after that with some more challenging slopes for Josh or stick to La Quillane.  Josh said that Aidan seems really happy where he is and is improving each day... plus we've gone thru the process of renting the skis there already so it saves us time each morning since we can hold on to them til we are done.  So we may just stick to it.  We thought about going to Toulousse or Carcassonne, but it's looking like over a 2 hour drive from here so given Liam's likelihood to get carsick, we may just stay local for the next week and keep skiing most of the days.  We shall see where the wind (and snow) takes us :)

In the meantime, we want to wish all our friends and family a very happy and healthy New Year!!  I have a feeling ours is going to be very low key and likely we will not even make it up til midnight, especially since the boys have their last ski lesson at 9:30 tomorrow morning!!  You never know though, we could surprise ourselves and have a wild evening!
Julie

It's Like Blue Hills... Only in France

Yes, we've come all the way to France (ok, maybe not allll the way since it's only a 2 hour drive) and we are skiing at a "mountain" that I would associate to be close to Blue Hills at home.  Actually, Blue Hills might be better because this place only has 2 runs - the bunny hill/green circle and a second run that might be between a green circle and a blue square.

However, that being said, it is barely 1 mile from our chalet and when we mentioned to the owners of the chalet that it was the boys first time skiing, they immediately suggested it.  So off to La Quillane we go.  We actually went there yesterday to check it out and see about getting the boys signed up for lessons.  It was a nice enough place, very clean and full of tons of kids which was perfect for us.  It didn't feel overwhelming or overcrowded.

First thing this morning we hit the road running.  Now I'm not much of a skiier and I could tell that I was anxious about going, even on the easy slopes... I could tell this about my argumentative mood this morning.  And of course, all went well so I'm not sure why I was so stressed. 

Entrance to the ski area

Liam checking things out yesterday

As much as Aidan had been looking forward to skiing, I was totally prepared for a battle. That probably explained a bit of my mood too. I know his personality like it's my own (we are two peas in a pod) and I expected a lot of whining about the weight of the boots and falling and not being able to get up, etc etc. But off he went with the instructor, Jean, along with Liam.

Liam on his skis trying to get around

Heading off with Jean, their instructor

Josh and I skied while the kids were in their lessons. I insisted we do the bunny hill to start.  Yes, I know, I'm a total loser.  But in my defense, I have not been on skis since before I was pregnant with Aidan so that's what over 8 years??  After a few runs I was getting the hang of it again though Josh, as always, was significantly better... significantly doesn't even do him justice, he is worlds better than I am!

The "terrifying" view from the top of the bunny hill

Come on, already!!!

I'm in awe of both of my children right now. They did AMAZING!!! I'm so proud of them both, but especially Aidan. I had limited expectations with Liam since he's only 4 and he just doesn't really have the fine motor skills yet...though he way exceeded my expectations! But Aidan, my god, Aidan was amazing. He has this unbelievable ability with sports, they just come so naturally.   At the end of the lesson, Jean had each of the kids taking a turn going down the beginner hill - I didn't expect him to have Liam do it but he did awesome!!  I had tears in my eyes I was so excited for this new adventure for the both of them!  The kids had 2 hours of lessons today and then Liam was toasty.  However, after lunch Aidan and Josh went right back up the hill to start over. 

By the end of the day Aidan was giving (albeit not so successfully) the big slope a try...but when he came down crying because he fell off the chair pully (it wasn't a lift but one of those ones you hold on to all the way up) he told me that he wanted to do it again even though it was really hard.  I have to give him so much credit for giving the big hill a try on his first day out.  Given it was the end of the day we told him maybe we should just keep at the slope he'd been working on and tomorrow he and Josh can do the big one.

Aidan trying the pully for the first time

And Liam is down...

But getting back up and here comes Aidan!

Liam gets a little help

Then goes on his own

Aidan is determined to do this himself!

I love to ski... for now (ask me again in 15 mins)

Aidan top center with his instructor (Aidan is in the dark blue jacket)

Liam in the center with his instructor

Liam again - I'm so proud of him!!!

Just a pretty view :)

Liam making "friends" in the snow while Aidan and Josh ski... his friend "Icy" was going to come back to Barcelona with us but I convinced him that we'd have to rename him "water-y" if he did.  The next morning he went back to the same spot and was thrilled that "Icy" was still there!

Aidan with Josh

Aidan going down the "big" hill... I say "big" somewhat sarcastically but at the same time you couldn't pay me to go down it :)

 

And off he goes!! 

I took some video of Aidan with Josh - it's kind of far out so you just have to look for him but I did a decent job of keeping the camera centered on him.  As he gets closer you can see it's him better.  But it starts with him and Josh at the very top and then coming down the center of the slope:

http://youtu.be/chlww_QW0b8

And then this one is of him going down that big jump of a hill in the center of the beginner slope.  Go Aidan!!

http://youtu.be/7OmdBXkrNig

I fully expect at the end of the 4 days of lessons (total of 6 hours each) that Aidan will be skiing better than I do... ok, he's already skiing better than I do.  And Liam will be going down that green circle like it's a piece of cake.  I have no doubt!  And after the 4 days, perhaps we'll move over to another ski area with some challenging slopes for poor Josh who has to be with us beginners the whole time.  He's being a real sport about it and I know he absolutely loved doing run after run after run with Aidan today.  I think it made his year :)

Til tomorrow!
Julie