February 28, 2006

Icy Winds

It wasn't so much the single digit temperatures that made Sunday a cold day at the ski slope: it was the gale force wind. The slopes were in good condition, hard-packed snow instead of ice, which is great to board on, and the frigid temperatures meant no lines at the chair lift. It was the kind of day when you make sure your helmet meets your goggles, your goggles meet your face mask, your face mask meets your neck gaiter, and your neck gaiter gets tucked into your coat.

We came in every couple of runs to warm up, gathering at the usual picnic table to eat sandwiches, drink juice, and fight over french fries with hot sauce. We were a smaller group than usual at the ski lodge, just me and the six boys: Boy in Black, Older Neighbor Boy, Shaggy Hair, Skater Boy, Philosophical Boy, and With-a-Why, a staircase of boys who range from seventeen down to eleven. When I was waiting in the snack bar to get some more french fries, a twenty-something woman gave me a shy smile and said, "We've seen you here every week, and we're just dying to know. How many kids do you have?"

Before I could even answer, she said, "We counted six sons today."

I laughed and explained that only three of the boys were my sons, but the extras were really part of the family. I glanced at the table and saw how she might think that they were all my kids: they were certainly acting like brothers, joking around, fighting over food in the cooler, exchanging goggles with each other, teasing each other, lacing each other's boots, shoving each other over to make more room on the bench.

I had brought the camera this week, but it was too cold to really use it much. Taking my gloves off in frigid temperatures is too much of a sacrifice. Besides, I am not that great at standing still on a snowboard. And it is hard to take photos of moving bodies. Here is the usual view I get of one of the boys – snow shooting up into my face as he carves past and disappears from my sight.

alsolanding

Here is the one time I got them all to stand still outside the lodge.

snowboarding boys

14 comments:

Leslee said...

Well, you're one of the coolest moms I know so I bet the others WISH they were your sons too!

Hey, I'm first! I'm never first! WOW!

BeachMama said...

Sounds like another perfect day at the slopes, despite the cold wind.

Anonymous said...

we've counted six sons today??
Do you have any suspicions that she's had a pool going?

Anonymous said...

the "staircase" is great! i'm one of 4 girls, and the classic staircase photo [all in matching easter dresses] is on my wall.

in my mind, at least, i adopted a few friends' moms over the years --sewing mom, nurse mom, piano mom. there are a few extra kids who don't need to introduce themselves on the phone, and can raid my fridge at will -- but i definitely lack the cool factor of snowboarding mom.

Liz Miller said...

Everybody else said it for me.

I love those photos.

Inside the Philosophy Factory said...

Fun photos... it is good that your sons and their friends all get along so well. My four top debaters this year could easily be mistaken as my sons... assuming I started early and look older than I am :).

There is something nice about that boy energy.

jo(e) said...

PPB: Well, I did get the sense they'd been talking about us. I didn't actually see any money change hands though.

Friday Mom: Yes! February is over. And I survived it. March is always a much nicer month ... I've got a trip to the monastery coming up, and spring break ....

frog said...

You're the reason I've opened myself up to mothering boys--growing up, I had a whole pack of them for whom I was responsible and for years I've said that it was my calling to mother girls next, that I'm already done with the boys.

But maybe not.

Anonymous said...

I love how you post pictures that manage to not at all reveal any identities. Very clever.

I thought of you this morning as I was getting ready for work. I glanced at the calender in my kitchen and saw that it was March 1. I thought you would be feeling happier.

I am a solid introvert and definitely need alone time. However, one of the best things about alone time for me is how happy I am to rejoin those I love when I am done being by myself.

SuperB

Anonymous said...

I think I'd like to be one of your sons too... (grin)

be blessed

Scrivener said...

That top picture, especially, is fantastic! What a great last post for the month.

OTRgirl said...

I love that those kids have access to such a cool mom/mentor/friend as you.

Yankee, Transferred said...

Great shots!

Rana said...

I love the pictures. And the boys. And you.

I love everybody! It's March!