Micah has been pushing to get out and into the snow and go sledding. But we've had a cold snap that lasted for what seems like forever. Then this weekend it actually warmed up, but we were so busy that we could barely eat a meal let alone slide down a hill. So today, Micah asks if we could go after nap and I gave him the parental "maybe..." which loosely translated means "probably not". I'm still exhausted. Maybe after I have a nap.
But Micah was persistent and as Faith left for work, Micah asked again. So we got dressed for 1/2 an hour. Then I forgot the combination on our shed lock. Finally on my 13th attempt I got it (seriously) and pulled out the sled. Then we started walking. Before she left, Faith suggested that we go to the little park close to our house. I knew Micah wanted more (and Aslynn couldn't care less), but in my state of exhaustion I took a look. Oh boy. No snow.
So to Prairie Winds Park we went. After pulling over 60 lbs for a short distance on wet snow and one tipped sled, I decided Micah could walk and Aslynn could be carried. The wind was getting pretty cold and she was getting snow in her face anyway. We got to the park and no one was there. The big hill was a barren wasteland of muck and sod. Micah started whining like he was about to cry. And then I spotted it -
Well, I actually spotted two popped tubes first that I thought could be repaired, and THEN I saw the hill. It was tucked away on the far end of the park behind some trees. The obvious reason no one had gone there was for that very reason - trees. I had visions of Calvin & Hobbes bobbing, weaving, and crashing through trees dancing through my head... and the moment passed. So I took the kids over there!
Usually the adult is the first rider down to 'make sure it is safe', but I already had a plan. Micah was the first rider down. The hill was small enough that I could give a light push at the top, run down, and by the time they were going faster than me I had reached the bottom and was ready to tackle them before they made contact with a spruce tree. Aslynn came second. You should've seen the look of shock on her face! Eyes open wide, mouth in a perfect little 'O' - she just held that expression even after she stopped. Of course, the worst part of any ride is going back up. The hill was fairly steep, but the snow wasn't that deep. We managed - I mean, I managed.
They went down a bunch more times. Aslynn wiped out real good twice. But she would just lay there, turn over, and wait for me to brush the snow off of her face. Not a complaint or a whimper! I even went down the hill once. It was nothing like Carmen's adventure, though. We came through everything just great. Micah even got a chance to pet two dogs and chase 5 jackrabbits on our way home (with the two broken tubes in tow - Faith's going to wonder when she sees those). It wasn't until we were in the yard that Aslynn started screaming at me. She wanted to go back, stay in the yard, do ANYTHING but go inside. Of course, those are the moments your 'friendly' neighbor comes out to visit with you.
Once inside, she wouldn't stop until I put food in her mouth. She was pretty cold, but with the fit she was throwing I thought she would warm up fairly quickly. I don't mean to sound so nonchalant and casual about it. I cared that she was crying. I just couldn't give her what she wanted.
Pray for more snow, please.
- Mark
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