Category Archives: Skiing

Alan’s Favorite Activities

Second grade — Part IV — edition of the Top 10:

-Puzzles with Tata and Jill!  The one pictured was 300 pieces.

-Playing with a parachuting lion & tiger picked up at United Skates during De’Onta’s birthday party and a parachute picked up at the Cavs game back in November.  Tyler and Carleigh have enjoyed them too!

-Throwing [soft] balls down the long hallway at home.

-Skiing at Alpine on Sunday afternoons, even though lessons are over.  Alan’s lessons came with a pass for the whole season, and he often still sees his favorite instructor Jen!

-Making a fort at home.

-Making a fort at Grandma Debbie’s.

-Playing Cribbage — which Alan first learned on the plane to New Orleans in December, then perfected with help from Jill.  He plays on my phone regularly now and taught me how to play.  Below are the results of his first and largest wins.

-Friday nights and Sunday afternoons at the Wildcat Fitness Center.

-Drawing cars and other forms of transportation during indoor recess.  And at home too — especially when making birthday cards for family and friends!

-Learning on the Chromebook at school!

Birthday Slap Bracelet

Alan gave me a birthday slap bracelet to wear today and I rocked it like it was 1991!  Alan actually got it for his 8th birthday at school from Mrs. Harris and wore it on his birthday.  So naturally, I wore it on mine (and I’ll be wearing it to work tomorrow).

Alan also gave me a card that featured a drawing of a gray plane that was flying a scarlet banner that said “Dad.”  And he gave me a bag of Hershey kisses that he snuck into my car as a surprise early present last night.

Today we spent the morning skiing at Alpine (just for fun; no lessons) and the afternoon playing at Zero Gravity for Joshua’s party — where I had plenty of birthday cake.  Second year in a row I got cake on my birthday by taking Alan to a party!

Skiing Lessons – Week 5

The pendulum swung back to unseasonably warm temperatures today at Alpine.  Fortunately lessons went on as planned.  Alan maneuvered around cones and then was rewarded with a ride on the longer ski lift to an even bigger hill with Allister.  The top of the hill was out of sight so I could only record the end of his lengthy run.  Alan advanced another level and will be skiing with the light blue group next week!

Skiing Lessons – Week 3

Alan was back on the slopes today despite very cold temperatures.  Alan had to brave the elements for the first time today, and he wore thicker gloves and a polar scarf to cover his mouth and chin.  But it was worth it as he got to ride high above the ground on the ski lift over and over again.  He still made in the full two hours and still braved the elements to demonstrate his progress after practice.

Skiing Lessons – Week 1

Alan made his debut on the slopes today and he did great!  During the first of six Sunday afternoon sessions at Alpine Valley Ski Resort in Chesterland, Alan learned how to balance, move, and stop on skis.  He appeared to have an edge over the other first time skiers in his group in ability to stay upright, perhaps because of the balancing skills he’s developed from ice skating.

After the 2-hour lesson on an unseasonably warm day, Alan took the “magic carpet” to the top of the hill to show his parents that he could ski on his own.  He was so brave!