You sit quietly in the corner murmuring under your voice. It’s a cute song, a short conversation with the toy your playing with or the reading of a book. To an unfamiliar eye, a quiet, soft-spoken, mild mannered child is happily entertaining herself. Yet, to those of who know better, it’s just one side of the fiercely independent little girl you are. It’s a girl who is doing what she wants on her own terms.

There is a spirit in you Elle. A confidence and security beam from you. There is a sense of self and strength not seen in some adults. You walk your own path in a way that suggests maybe the rest of us are walking the wrong way. Yet, you never look back. You never say follow me. You walk, and the rest of us follow.

I love you Elle

You have a love that is deliberate. There are no superfluous hugs, or cute little smiles with an agenda. Every kiss, hug, smile,squeeze and every “I want you” radiates with authenticity. You’re hugs are weighty with love, as they are never dolled out with disregard.

Elle, Daddy cherishes your hugs, the big squeezes, the “I love you the mostest’s” and your sweet kisses. I cherish everyone, for how deep they come from inside of you. I feel honored to be the recipient. I feel special, because you chose me. I feel happy, because I know you’ll kiss and hug me again.

Elle, you’re diligence amazes me. Your raw, humble confidence teaches me. You have a mature soul. Not an old soul, but a mature soul.

Yes, you are still a child. That reality is never lost on us. You let us know everyday. You are a special child, Elle. You have a fire in you. You have a shriek and they are piercing. Why you shriek is still a mystery. Sometimes, it’s because you are unhappy and want us to know it. Other times you just seem to want to yell. Oh, lucky us!

Your voice is LOUD, it carries through out the house, and your not shy to throw it around. You have presence, it is growing every day.

To call you spunky is trite. But, ya got more gumption than the average kid.

I admire your strength Elle. I admire your sense of self. I admire your confidence.

You sing and dance over and over to “Hard Knock Life” and “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow.” You are the first to want to go play in the snow when we wake up in the morning. You get excited to go skiing every time we are in the mountains, even though you’re still on the bunny hill. All the ski instructors know who you are and have all fallen in love with you. You have your own Vail Ski School fan club.

You have a special something deep inside you. It’s a spark, a flicker, a fire, that drives you. It sets you apart. It’s molding you. It’s molding me.

It’s amazing to watch and I’m excited to watch it turn you into an amazing young woman.

I love you Elle and thanks for calling me Daddy.

Happy Birthday!!!!!

Elle and I went skiing today for the first time. We had a blast. We rented her, a pair of her very own skis and then headed to the gondola at Beaver Creek.

I learned a lot about Elle today. She is a very focused young lady. I dont think she spoke but 10 words the entire time, and half of them were in response to me. She was completely focused on the task at hand. No emotion on either side of the emotional spectrum.

Once on the slope she did awesome. Elle has unbelievable balance. Gliding down the bunny hill all by herself was a cake-walk. She looked like a pro!

One of the few things Elle did say was, can I go over there, pointing to a steeper hill.

We gave it a try. She was doing great until her head of steam became a bit much and she did a face plant. Ouch!

Like a pro she just jumped up. I was blown away to watch a two year old face plant and just shake it off.

I had a blast with her. She was unbelievably low maintenance. No crying, no complaining (it was snowing and windy) just skiing.

Ellen asked how did you know when she was done. It was simple, at the end of a run. I walked up to her and she said; “Can we go home now?” That was is it, nothing more, nothing less.

So we went home.

Kenna had her first day of the 09/10 ski season today. She had a lesson in the morning and we got to ski in the afternoon together.
This will be Kenna’s second full year. She is a BC III (3) which means next level she goes to the top of the mountain.

Cant wait to ride to the top with her.

Stay tuned, Elle is next.

Right now, I’m sitting in traffic coming home from 6 days of teaching ski school in Vail. It’s bumper to bumper. While sitting here I am thinking about family and how good ones work. That got me thinking about our family and our family principles, specifically “we all have a role”

You see, I have been gone for 6 days teaching ski school. Ellen has been home alone with kids. Elle has a cold, a cold Ellen has subsequently caught. She has had to manage the home for the past week by herself, SICK! She has done a brilliant job. It’s not easy doing it alone, never mind if your not feeling well. I am very proud of her and how well she handled the house and the girls. It was a tough week.

So why do it?

Why do I spend 6 days teaching skiing during my vacation? Why does Ellen spend a week working to exhaustion taking care of the girls? We do it because we committed to being a ski family. We’ve committed to skiing as one of the activities we will do as family. If we didnt do it we couldn’t afford the lessons, daycare, passes, equipment, and everything else. The benefits of Ski School are substantial and make it possible.

Yes, it’s hard at times. It can be taxing. But, with each of us playing a role, we are able to provide an amazing experience for our family. It’s 1+1=3!

I think this is what makes family, family.
Working together to create more than sum of the parts.

We all have a role(s) to play with in the family. When we each perform them and perform them well the FAMILY benefits exponentially. I am lucky to have such a wonderful partner. We get to create our own lives and our own family experiences and I’m happy with what we created this week.

Thanks Ellen!

I’m not sure if Kenna will remember this, but I know we will.   Kenna rode her first chair lift on the day before Christmas.

With no fear or trepidation, Kenna enthusiastically scuttled her little legs into the lift line.   After working her way through the line, she stopped at the load marker waiting for the next chair.  It was if she had been riding chair lifts for years.  Watching the chairs circle around, she properly pointed out our chair and when it was coming to ensure I knew which it was and that we were prepared load.

About to load

Once it was our turn, we moved out onto the blue loading line and waited.   Still showing no concern for her situation,  Kenna patiently waited for the chair to swing around and take her to the next level of skiing.

Swoosh, the chair swings around, slowly moving underneath Kennas butt.  I pick her up, rest her on the seat as her little legs stick straight out with her little ski tips pointing straight up in the air.   Off we go, up the hill.

WOW!   Kenna is on her fist chair lift.  She scoots forward, leans against the safety bar and peers below, watching all the skiers glide underneath her feet.   Conspicuously absent; fear, concern, anxiety, discomfort, or any sign that it was a new experience.

Look at me Mom!

Kenna is an amazing young lady.  It is hard to believe she turned 3 only 3 months ago.   She has a passion for life.  Riding the chair with her was a magical moment.   We are thrilled to have 100’s and 1000’s of more lift rides together.

(To Kenna, you will read this some day and you need to know.  You were a little stud getting on that lift for the first time, boy we were impressed . . . pizza, french fries, pizza, french fries.)  We love you!