FruSkis

 That's right folks, we are up on the mountain again!  Here's what's new this year:

1.  Since they both did such a great job learning last year, we got both boys ski poles.  They like them a lot, and I can see how these would definitely improve the skiing experience.  You could say they have an appreciation for ski poles now; and also they don't overly depend on them.  Mission accomplished, #winning.

2.  Then there's DEMPSEY GIRL!  This was her first time on the real mountain and she did a great job.  Her brothers led by example and helped to teach her how to make the pizza and slow down.  We had a little pre-mountain technique primer in the parking lot, as a reminder about what she learned last year at Shredders.  We went on the bunny hill about 3 times and then we all took a break.  Those first runs are such a big milestone for a first-timer.  Dempsey would only get scared when she felt like she was going to fast or also when sometimes on the magic carpet she would slide backward slightly.  It was such an honor to coach her and watch her slowly improve her technique and build her confidence!  

One thing I learned about Demps is that she responds well to being challenged to do more than she thinks she can.  The first 2 runs down the bunny slope probably took 20 minutes each.  On the 3rd run, I challenged her to not sit down on her skis at all, and instead use the pizza and turns to slow herself.  Though, as she said:  "But I can sit down on my skis if I need to."  Of course, darlin'!  But did she sit down?  No way!  She made it down the entire way, and only complained a little for me to slow down.  So proud.  

    After we took a break in the car for a snack and to warm up, we then talked about going to the next level slope and the chairlift.  The boys had been so patient and stayed with us the whole time on the bunny slope, though they kept wanting me to go with them.  When it comes to these kids, I always try to strike a balance and find a way to make everybody happy and give everybody equal share of life experiences and my attention.  So, I knew that I had to find a way to make this happen, despite Dempsey's hesitation.  We were able to talk Dempsey up to the experience, and struck a deal to go over to the bigger hill after 1 or 2 more runs on the bunny slope.  AJ couldn't wait, so went over there and went up on the lift by himself!  Atta boy.  I called to check on him via the radio and apparently he had just had a pretty big wipeout, though he was able to untangle himself and get back down to the base.  So, Dempsey and Ryker and I mushed our way over to the bigger lift, met up with AJ, and headed up!  Poor Dempsey lost both of her skis the first time she got on the lift, and they had to stop it for us, but were so totally cool about it.  And Dempsey never batted an eye, didn't bother her one bit.  We got her strapped back in, hopped on the chair and we were off.  She was scared of the height at first, but quickly got used to it.  Pretty much the same thing happened when we got off the lift LOL; she lost both skis and had to hustle out of the way.  Again, not a big deal, she just strapped back in, and then we were finally off.  The boys took off, it was so cool to see them both be at the level now where they have skills and confidence to do this!  As for Demps, I think the gravity was setting in that we were now on top of a bigger hill, and she was feeling scared.  I had a little pep talk (I promised her a treat, of course), and she said "I want to go back".  There is only 1 way to get off of a ski hill!  This Cortez-ships-burning fact is something I love about skiing.  So I told her to follow me, and off I went.  She followed right along without many further complaints the rest of the way down.  And those brothers?  Yeah, they waited for us at a crossroads waypoint halfway down, good dudes.  Dempsey made it the whole way and didn't wipe out or sit down one time.  So totally proud, and can't wait to go again with these kids, and hopefully Meg!  It really killed her to not come up on this trip, partly because of uncertainty about her knee and partly due to Kevin just being neutered.  But we just got her some better fitting snowboard boots (1.5 sizes smaller?!?), so next time she will be with us!