Skiing @ Kiwissa 03.22.09

Written by admin on 23 March 2009

Lloyd on the Glade

What a wonderful day! When we first arrived, I realized that the mittens Emeraude had werestill wet and Danile offered to come back to my (the kids) house and pick up a dry pair so Emeraude went along. I sat there for a while waiting before realizing this was my opportunity to go up on the big hill by myself and ski with Lloyd a little, a special treat I haven’t had for the past 3 years since I’ve been bringing Emeraude skiing.

Of course, he & his friends take full advantage of all the new rails & jumps that have been built on the hill and this makes for some great photo ops. I didn’t want to stay up there long (it was SO odd to ski without my partner, I felt all unbalanced and did not know what to do with my arms. I went up the lifts alone also which was a really bizarre experience having been 3 years since I had done so without her) as I had not personally told her where I would be although I had left a message with ppl in the chalet. So, after just one run I asked Lloyd if he & his friends would come use the rails on the beginner hill so I could also watch/help Emeraude (her Dad didn’t bother to rent skis and she did not like him helping her up the lift on foot which requires her to hold alot of her own weight – quite difficult at 3yrs old – I pointed out the obvious to him that he could do like the other parents do who don’t ski and just pull or push her up the hill itself as he had seen them do… he reluctantly did so and Emeraude was thrilled). Of course curiosity got the better of her and before too long she wanted to take off her skis and admire brother and his friends, which she knows, as they performed on the rails (can’t blame her, they put on a good show).

Ed & Linda Hedderson, relentless volunteers @ Kiwissa Ski Centre.

I took the opportunity while she had been gone to also get photos of as many of the volunteers/employees as I could and hope to do something useful with it like a poster or something for the chalet. After her Dad left, she and I played outside the chalet for quite some time as she did not yet feel like going on to the big hill and Lloyd of course had returned there with his friends for bigger & better jumps and rails. She slid on her bum and belly down the hill, ‘body slide’, took off her mitten (she’s too tough) and drew letters & numbers for me to guess in the snow “what is it?” me:”a 4?” her:”no, one circle, another…” me:”an 8?” her:”yes! very good, now watch, i add a smile and it’s a snowman!” (i was so impressed!). We went inside after for a snack and to sit in the window and watch the skiers which she loves to do. Ed Hedderson was in the midst of a wardrobe change, getting in to his shorts to enjoy the mild temp and I could not resist the photo op so she hung out with Lori (ticket Lady) and I ran out to snap a few shots {thanks Ed}.

Emeraude & I then finally headed back up to the big hill, as I warned her

Emeraude keeps busy with Daddy being her tow while I take photos.

that I was almost out of energy (and pain tolerance which I did not mention) for the afternoon. We had a wonderful time, her skills have improved so considerably since the beginning of the season and she now turns, stops and even tries to jump on her skis (without actually hitting a jump) which is really cute. We found Lloyd at the bottom of the hill building/using a jump with a large group of his friends and after some minor complaints he came to video her skiing down the bunny for one run (will post to youtube & here as soon as I can) which I really appreciated alot as I had not done so yet this year. The next time we made it up the two of us sat on the bench at the top of the hill and talked as she watched the skiers/snowboarders go by commenting on the runs they chose to ski/board.

It really was a great day, possibly the last for the year depending on what weather we have this week and Emeraude aggreed with me that it “was good we made the most of our afternoon” giggling a little at my choice of expression/description.

Will post the photos to this one asap but I still have 2 days of evening IV treatments remaining and these get me home late wishing for sleep.