Skate Season

The rinks around town are open even though we're seeing temps in the 70s around here!

We headed to our favorite rink, Bryant Park, this weekend to get back to our skating groove.

It's pretty amazing the difference a year has made in the boys.  Freddie was much better, and more confident although a big fall kinda made him a little more cautious halfway through.

Hans wanted a penguin, so we gave it a try.  We hadn't tried one yet because it makes the outing go from free to $20 but it did make skating around with him a whole lot easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

He couldn't quite get it in motion all by himself, but it won't be long.

We all skated for about 1.5 hours and my leg muscles were screaming!

I may need to get myself out there solo during the week!

After skating we headed to Grand Central to hit up the Shake Shack there.

The boys had never been to Grand Central so it was fun to just wander around a bit.  The boys were amazed at the details in the beautiful old terminal.  They want us to plan an overnight train trip out of Grand Central in the very near future.  Sounds like something we can do although I am sure the novelty would wear off rather quickly once en route.  

A super fun day together!  Looking forward to lots more skating, especially if it doesn't involve parkas, scarves, gloves, boots time 4!

The Snow Storm that Wasn't

This week as we were preparing to head south for our midwinter trip, we were also preparing for an "epic" blizzard.

The weatherman warned of 24 inches of snow in less than 24 hours.  School was cancelled.  Airports were closed.   The city was shutting down and our trip was off.  Damn.

We decided to make the best of it and stock up on hot chocolate and baking supplies.

Walking home from school

We set our sights on sledding and snow fort building.

And we waited.

And wouldn't you know the blizzard didn't happen.  We got maybe 8-10 inches of snow, our first snow that was enough to cover the ground.  

Thankfully it was just enough for sledding and playing.  And since the subway and city was shut down until 9am we took advantage of some extra time with Charlie at home.

The snow is slowly melting as temps are well into the 30s now.  We're even expecting some rain in the coming days.  I wonder if this will be our only bit of snow play this year.

I know this might surprise you, being that I'm a southern gal, but I sure hope we get some more snow.  If it's going to be cold we might as well have some snow to play in, especially since apartment living means we don't have to shovel!

More Skiing

This past weekend we headed to a small mountain just about an hour away.  Tuxedo Ridge has been recommended to us by a few skiers as a great place for novice skiers.

Breakfast!

It's our closest option and is a great spot for beginners.  It is tiny, just two double chair lifts and 7 trails, and with its proximity to the city it can evidently get rather crowded.

No one set an alarm but we got up when Hans got up about 7.00am.  Somehow were were in the car by 8.30am.  After stopping for donuts, parking the car and suiting up, renting skis for Charlie and me, and purchasing lift tickets, we were finally on the first lift by 10.45am.  Not bad.

The crowds did grow by midday and the lines for the two lifts did get long.  The boys didn't mind at all.

The lifts were a little scary...old and they moved fast.  The lift operators were some inattentive teenagers so that didn't help. Somehow none of us got taken out by a char or fell off the lift, but Freddie did have to ride the lit down after not hopping off.  He was surprised on the second lift when his skis didn't quite touch the ground and I wasn't prepared to prep him for it.  I gave a quick talk about just going for it and hopped off, but he didn't follow.  He was a bit panicky, but Charlie skied down and followed his chair all the way down talking him through it.  After he finally got up the courage to try that lift again, I actually found him to be super confident on the lift.  He seemed to think he could handle anything now.

It took a few runs to get them warmed up but both boys skied really well.  Hans is about speed and Freddie is about control.  Hans refuses to turn even though he is capable.  He wants to go straight down and will even head for the snowbank and trees in the hopes that you'll somehow agree to ski in the trees with him.

One day he'll decide he doesn't want to be leashed, but for now he just howls if he thinks you're slowing him down too much.

Freddie did not shy away from the steeper hills and was comfortable making his way down all on his own.  He would just go and then wait for me at the bottom.  He wasn't interested in me talking him through it at all.

Freddie could ski all day.  He'd be thrilled with being the first person on the lift and staying until the lift closes.  Unfortunately his brother doesn't have the same stamina, and he's not so keen on being left behind.

There were some tears when Freddie opted not to take a break that only a $4 Gatorade could remedy. He certainly pushed himself beyond his limit trying to keep up with Freddie.  Charlie ended up having to hold him in the lift line.  He was obviously tired but did not want to stop without his brother.

It's hard being the little guy.  Especially a little guy who decides he has to poop and wants to be taken home to poop in his own bathroom.  Yep, that was a fun 25 minutes spent in the stall of the bathroom with him.

We called it quits a bit before closing and were in the car by 4.45pm.  

Not too much traffic and everyone was in bed at their normal times.  Perfect weekend fun, if you don't consider the laundry. (Yes, I wash their snow clothes because between lunch and the bathrooms and leaning on every dirty car in the parking lot it is much needed!)

Tis the season

The parkas are out and in daily use, and the outdoor ice rinks are open.

We got the skate bag out and headed to Bryant Park for our first skate of the season.

What a difference a year makes!  The boys were so interested in skating and wanted to stay on the ice for hours.

We went around and around and around.  All of us!  Even Hans wanted to continue to challenge himself to balance on his own.

Last year we would manage a few laps before the boys were ready for cocoa.  This year no one was ready to leave.  After a few hours Freddie was shuffling in and out of people, passing folks up, and pulling me along.

I think the "mild" temperature helped their enthusiasm this trip.  Hopefully they build up their skills and confidence before the 20 and 30 degree mornings arrive.

The favorite of ice skating is always the zamboni. We could not leave before seeing the zamboni take to the ice.  Hans had to watch it the entire time.

After skating we spent some time in Bryant Park, visiting the little mobile book cart to read for a bit and then take a whirl on the carousel.

Bring on winter.  We're ready!