I live in Utah. the following must be read with the announcing voice of Michael Buffer. WITH THE GREATEST SNOW ON EARTH. followed by the sound of rolling thunder
Growing up my dad always took us skiing. I have NO IDEA how we afforded it....it's always been very expensive. but it was an opportunity that was important for him to give us, so my mom would pack our tuna sandwiches and off we'd go before the sun came up. It was a lot of fun. Great memories with my dad.
Now I want to do the same for my kids. please now refer back to the "I have no idea how we afforded it"
Skiing aint cheap, yo. To rent the ski's. because we have none. would cost about $15-$20.00 per person. and then we'd have to pay to ski which runs about $60.00 per person. Syd can ski free because she's 6...but we'd have to pay for lessons and her ski's as well.
GOOD LORD ! So for a day on the hill, we'd be looking to pay about $250-$300.00 after tax license and gratuity. ok, gas and food and a babysitter for the 4 boys.
Damn Gina.
And what about the next year, when we add TWO boys to that list. and then a year or 2 later when we add TWO MORE BOYS. (pause while I catch my breath....I got a little light headed...phew)
Having kids was all fun and stuff before....now it's just super pricey and we can't afford them. Ok, maybe 2 of them. Takers ? Takers ? Maybe on the cute eyelash kid with the dimples ? anyone ?
The reason I am bringing this up is.....the donor was a National ski champ. which means adding my extreme athleticism to the mix, we could possibly have ourselves some Olympic champions. sleeping. right under my roof. right behind me. or maybe not....but who's to say. :-)
Oh hell. I suppose we'll do what we always do and we'll take Syd. Teach her how, she'll love it. and then when the boys have their shot we'll tell them we don't have any money.
(sigh)
So. should we even start ? Should we sell the farm so that they can ski down a frozen hill at 90mph (that's what me and my brother did) and then snow plow for about 300 feet (because that's how long it takes to stop you after going 90 mph down a frozen hill) to stop before skiing into the lodge or parking lot....only to jump back on the lift to do it again ?
Is it really about the experience ?
Damn. I have GOT to get a job. (one that pays)
8 comments:
I hear you...kids are expensive but the issue is more that life is getting more expensive every day. I don't know how they expect us to afford everything. It's so hard sometimes just trying to give your kids things and life experiences. I say go for it--go skiing. What about buying used skis and then you can hand them down to at least one boy in each set of twins? Used kid skis might be cheap enough...
The one and only thing my kids miss about Utah is the skiing. All four took lessons on Beaver Mtn. and all four are skiing tornadoes. We rented our boots and skis (no poles for the little ones needed) at the beginning of the season and just kept them until the end of the season. I assume there was a price break to do that....I dunno, it was hubby's job to take them as it was my time at home without kids. And, of course, they always went on Sundays, since the slopes were practically empty except for gentiles. lol
I grew up skiing too, and I took Matthew when he was three. I have never taken the little kids yet though. Now that we live near a bunch of ski resorts again, we were talking about getting a season pass. Check around. A lot of resorts have good deals on season passes and you can sometimes get a season pass for ski rental too. I have been looking at a few "family-friendly" resorts and they had some pretty decent rates. I'm totally waiting until my dad visits (or we visit him in CO) because then I'll have a babysitter. You should come here and we can make him watch your kids too. LOL!!!!
I used to ski too, and don't know how my mother did it... Single mother and all.................
I've never been skiing so no real advice on that specifically except to say take it in stride. It will probably be a fun family thing to do as the kids get bigger if that's what you guys enjoy in the winter. I like the idea of used skiis, should make it more afforable!
Y'know, we could put Syd and H in ski school together...just a thought!
Toboggens and sleds. Cheap, resuable, often hold multiple kids and still allow you to propel down hills at breakneck speeds.
Kids are expensive and we just have one and one on the way! When I was shopping for some more winter clothes last night for AJ I was thinking.. wow we will be doing this for two! Oh my!
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