Google Tahoe Trip - David is Back Skiing Again -

Google Tahoe Trip 2012.  David is back skiing again (twice in one month).  He is going to think he can go skiing any time (of course he already thinks that).

Last Wednesday (in the middle of the week), he says "can we go skiing right now?"

What a sense or reality this kid has.   I can't say I remember living in this kind of bubble as a kid but I guess we all lived in our own version of the bubble.  I was happy.  I think we used cardboard for sleds but I didn't know any better. We had a blast.

(We just happened to go a few weeks ago to get ready for this trip, since he had never skied before and we were a bit rusty too.)

As you can see from the helmet, the goggles, and the expression on his face, this man is ready.

In no time, this man was going down the slopes (on mid-mountain - our level).  He didn't hit the cones (which is more than I can say).

 

No worries, mom and dad had fun too, while David was in skiing class all day.  Its ok - we watched him from the gondella while we were going up the mountain.  He was fine.  

They are actually great at Northstar.  They take the kids for the entire day - teach them, feed them, and watch over them until it is time for us to pick him up at the end of the day.  Not a bad deal while you are enjoying the scenery and the fresh air (and focusing on how to ski again).

The view was spectacular from the top.  (Lunch was good too.)

Check these moves out - Big David is getting there.

 I am coming at you.

Now it was time for dinner and we took some time to see some old friends that I have not seen in over a decade or two.  Harvey, Leslie, and Charlie.  

Charlie is married now with a little one already - unbelievable. Last time I saw him he was a student at Stanford.  It was nice meeting his wife and son too.   Of course, they are all learning what real sleep deprivation is all about with a new born.

It was really great seeing Harvey and Leslie again and catching up.  (Oh yes. thanks for a great dinner and what a dessert - those brownies were fantastic.)

David had a ball playing chess with Charlie and tending to the fire.

2nd Dinner (a bit later in the evening)

Summer and I had a second dinner back with the Google team when we got back to the group house.   Duck confit.  It was great with a pomegranate sauce.

The conversation was fantastic too.  We kept talking late into the night - intermittent reinforcement, Milgram's study (I was in it), qualitative research, and a host of things we had in common.  We had fun.

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Day 2

Day 2 was back down to earth with flying saucers.  That does sound funny doesn't it - down to earth/flying saucers?

David (as you can see) has no fear.

But the little man bit the dust (or the snow in this case) and found out just how cold snow really is. He got snow up his sleeve.  "Dad.  Ow.  This really hurts.  Ow."  No problem.  We took the mittens off and pulled the snow out and all was good again, but it provided an opportunity for an important lesson about why we bundle him up.  

He had no idea just how cold snow could be when it creeps into your life.  Now maybe he has some insight into why I don't really see ever moving back into that climate again - not full time anyway.  

Connecticut was nice growing up, but I think I have done enough snow shoveling in that bitter cold for a life time.  I remember doing all that shoveling just to have the road snow plow pile it right back up, blocking the driveway again.  You would just look at that pile, shake your head, and pick up the shovel again.  You had to get out right?

 Well enough down memory lane. Back to the slopes - ok the hill.

Summer, Ryan (a friend from Google), and Michele (his girl friend) follow David's path - with a bit more fear in comparison.  I think Michele just lost the snow ball fight, but what a good sport.

I survived the saucer and the snow ball fight.  David has a great arm - luckily the snow was still powder so he couldn't get me too badly, but that did not stop him from trying.  He is a crazy man in the snow.  

But eventually it was time to start hiking back. I for one was getting hungry. Luckily he wanted some hot chocolate too.  So off we went hiking back in the snow.

We decided to have lunch at Gar Wood's on Carnelian Bay.  It was beautiful, sunny, and yes still a bit cold.  I had the crab cake sliders, with mango salsa on the side.  Summer got the chicken sandwich, which I almost got.  

You guessed it.  David ordered the macaroni and cheese, by the lake.  What a view.  The lake was nice too - but the real view was of the two of them as we sat down to lunch.  The lake just made a nice backdrop to something a bit more picturesque.

It was a nice way to end a Google family vacation.

The Breakfast Race - David Style

Breakfast - David Style.  You may ask why are we talking about breakfast.  Well if you have kids (or have taken care of them) you already know the answer.  It is a race to get them to do anything.

First, he either waits for me to wake him up (and then says "boo" because he is already awake and just wants to scare me) or he comes and wakes me up with a "boo" just to show he can beat me.  In either case, is he dressed?  No way.  Has he brushed his teeth - no way (except today - so lets give credit where credit is due).

Has he gone to the bathroom - well today he was great.  Most of the time it takes a gentle reminder - especially if he wants to jump into bed with us in the morning.

Ok, ok - we are supposed to be talking about breakfast right. (Not really - breakfast is just a metaphor for life with this little man. As you will see, even getting through breakfast is a feat.)

As you can see from the video below, we have turned breakfast into a race.  We see who has taken the most bites of food between the two of us.  He says its fair that I get distracted making him breakfast and preparing lunch for school (and making my own tea and oatmeal), because it gives him a chance to get ahead of me. Thus it is fair?  What school is he going to?

In any case, I let him know that I can still beat him even though his waffle is on his plate with grapes - while I am stirring my oatmeal - because he gets even more distracted. So - we count how many bites each of us have taken to see who is ahead.  Hey - don't knock it - it works.

Ok - lets talk distraction.  While I am making his waffle he finds a need to do something.  It could be Monopoly - but today it is word games (luckily).  The last innocent Monopoly game lasted 2 weeks.  So while I am trying to get him to eat breakfast he is still playing his word games.  (I am not displeased they will be more psychologically sophisticated word games when he is a bit older.  I can still handle this level - I think.)

In any case, how can you get upset with a kid who wants to practice his letters and words in the morning. Well - when you have to race to get to work yourself and make sure he is ready for the trip to school with his mom you do want him to actually finish his breakfast - sometime in this century.

Ok - now he has me distracted.  He spelled all these words and said they were "too easy."  This man is really making progress.  Ok - now you can see how he gets me distracted and wins - beating me at breakfast every morning.

What's the lesson?   It is simple, we all are in the same boat.  Kids are kids. They live in wonderful world of their own.  But it can drive you completely crazy if you lose perspective.  It goes by so quickly - so get frustrated, but once in a while just enjoy it and appreciate this fleeting moment in time.

Skiing in Tahoe - David Does It Again

David Goes Skiing.  Is 5 years of age too young to ski?  Apparently not.  His helmet goes on and this man is ready to go.

At this age there is no fear.  Of course, he is already pretty close to the ground so the risk does not seem as great to them.

David progressed from Galaxy Level to Mid-Mountain in one day.  What is going on here?

He even went on the these lifts (with his instructor).

We all went up this one - so mom and dad get some points right?

We even went to the top (at least for lunch).

No worries.  Mom and dad skied while David was hard at work.  Mom made it to level 3 and dad barely made it to level 2 (same as David and remember he is only 5).  This could be a bit rough on the ego.  But I did snowplow enough to slow down, turn right, and turn left.  All of those on purpose.  I also did a fast 180 turn and stop with skis parallel.  But that was not really on purpose.  It was the only way I knew how to stop.  It looked good.  The instructor was not too crazy about it.

In any case, no broken bones, no frozen toes, and David, mom, and dad had a great time in the snow.

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon.  This is the train ride to the Grand Canyon.  It was low key and relaxing for all of us (David, Mom, Dad, Grandpa Mark, and Grandma (Heather).

David loved the Grand Canyon.  He found it enchanting just like we did.  "It is so deep."  I think he meant deep like in feet not metaphysically or philosophically - but who knows.

David saw this as an opportunity to throw the first snowball of the season - at dad!

He is also a budding photographer - ok - he was using the zoom to see as far down the canyon as he could see.  Tomorrow we will teach him how to shoot but I shutter to think what he will focus on.  (Did I really say all that?)

Are we happy?  You tell me.  When is the last time you saw a smile like that. Little one's remind you of unbridled joy - something we adults get to cluttered and encumbered to experience and share so openly.

Mom takes a moment to just sit and enjoy the scenery.

Grandpa Mark and Grandma (Heather) were also captivated by the beautify of the natural wonder.

The train ride was entertaining.  The music was great.

This is David's photoshop version of the same shot.  He asked me if he could do it and he thought it was a blast. He is sharing this with his classmates in kindergarden.  He was pretty proud of his creation.

Watch out.  Train robbers.  We had to explain how this was make believe to David (about 6 times). Bottom line he was thrilled that they did not take his stuffed toy rabbit.  

The train ride also had some side benefits for David - like snowball time again.

Time to relax and just sit back and enjoy the natural beauty of the life we are living together.   

Not to mention the buggy ride that evening.

We understand why everyone enjoys the Grand Canyon - it will take your breath away.

Happy Hanukkah 2011

Happy Hanukkah 2011.  David remembered a little more of the blessing this year.  Baruch atah adoni, elohanoo melech ha olum.

He remembered the shamus to light each candle and he never forgot what night it was.  Of course, would you forget if you got a gift every night.

Speaking of gifts - we got a piano for the family.  Summer is learning how to play again, using YouTube. David is taking lessons - complementing his violin lessons.

It is wonderful hearing music in the home.  It is the sound of family (during Hanukkah and throughout the year).

We also played dradel and David loved the Hanukkah gilt - once again, how many kids do you know that would turn down chocolate candy coins (any time of the year).

It was a wonderful ritual - that carried over to our trip to the Grand Canyon (see next posting).

Best wishes - we are healthy, happy, and together - there are few more valuable blessings.