Otherwise, the rest of the collage is dedicated to sledding. Owen, Logan, and Ella were enthusiastic about getting into the backyard to take advantage of all of the snow we'd been having. Karen and my Dad took the lead in getting the kids up to the top of the first chosen run (pretty much a location that has been begging for sledding ever since we got enough snow) and I began my seemingly endless job of using totes full of snow to make the run safe(r). Logan tired first of sledding and did his best to help his dad shovel snow into the totes. Like a lot of toddlers, he seems impervious to cold and it is a chore in itself to get him to keep his mittens on.
After a bit, it was clear that even more work was needed and my dad and I worked hard moving snow to create a banked hill for the sledders so that they stopped hurtling toward the glass patio doors (not to mention the drop off the retaining wall that was part of the initial sledding experience). It is safe to say that Ella and the boys had a blast and it helped all of us get out and burn some energy.
Since this first sledding day, Karen and I have created another run on the other side of the yard. That one intentionally drops sledders off of the highest point of our retaining wall and slams them into the deck. Of course, a hill of snow smooths the initial drop and another banked bumper hill protects them from the deck itself (more sweat equity from yours truly). The boys love both runs but O at least is jealous that his heavier mother and father sled faster and go farther than they can. Both runs are steep enough (at least with "deep" snow) that I may need to install a knotted rope line in the nearby trees to help Owen make the climb without assistance. I hope to do a future blog post or two of us all having fun on both of our private sledding runs. Talk about a winter perk of the new house! We knew we loved the yard in spring, summer, and fall ... now we can easily say our appreciation encompasses a 4-season sweep.
Just too much fun!!
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