Tasting Snow-II

Amara told me, "All I want to do is stick my tongue out and taste the snow."

Tasting Snow

Winter Play

I find it most curious how I can barely tolerate weather below 60 degrees but as a kid in New York, even on the coldest, snowiest days, my brother Mark, along with neighborhood friends, would bundle up for outdoor play. Whether we were building snow forts, snowmen or spending hours sledding at our elementary school just a couple blocks away, I never seemed to mind the cold and snow. Even with runny noses, numbing toes and nearly frostbitten ears. When Mark and I would drag our numb, frozen parts home, our mother would make sure we took off our snowy boots in the garage and then we would go inside to thaw out. No matter how cold we got, the next day it would be the same routine. Our childhood was fun and exciting, snow, ice and all.

When I had my children, taking the girls to experience the snow was not something on my radar. I really can't tolerate the cold any longer (sometime after going to Jamaica at age 19 permanently shifted my internal thermometer) so the things I had on our family list were all
around warmer temperatures.

 Then when Amara and Havana were younger, Don began to talk of a trip to the snow.  I thought, "that could be fun." We ended up with several families for weekend in Tahoe. Confession; While the kids played I stayed inside! (Havana was only about one so she stayed with me.) They all had a blast and so fast forward a few years, when they were old enough to enjoy more and remember,  I bit the snowball again and off we went.

It turned out that the cold (and it was cold, 18-27 degrees cold) was managable for us all (well, except when Havana didn't listen about taking her gloves off and she stuck her bare hand in the snow. That was no fun.) We bundled up and took in the silent beauty that was all around us. It was magical, sacred and thoroughly fun.  Amara even took her first ski lesson while Havana and I took in some local site seeing.

When I left New York sixteen years ago, I had thought my winter days were gone for good. But it seems that we may just be making winter trips to mountains for years to come.

Everything is more fun with Papa Don. 

Amara finally got wise and used the googles for our ride down the hill

After a hard day at play, the girls snuggled up for a movie in front of the fire.

And of course, a book before bed. (Havana was a real trooper; she had a low grade fever the entire weekend.)

Lake Tahoe is beautiful any time of year.

SNOW!

Snow! We were going to the snow. The girls were so excited they literally couldn't stand still while Don and I prepared for our weekend departure up to Lake Tahoe. They popped around the house like popcorn kernels in hot oil. They just couldn't wait.  Because the girls didn't remember their time in Tahoe when they were just little tots so this was like the first time. To see their eyes sparkle when they saw snow flakes fall from the sky was just magical. I said a silent prayer of gratitude that Don and I were able to provide moments like this for our two precious gems.

When we reached our destination, at a cozy cabin at Tahoma Meadows,both girls couldn't get dressed in their snow gear fast enough. Out they ran with their sleds (thanks to our cousins Ben and Theo we had two sleds to play with) to a hill at the end of the property to get their first go at sled riding. It truly was magical.

Here are our some of our first glimpses of a first snow in Tahoe.

                         

Hanukkah

 Our Hanukkah tradition with the Ferguson-Coughlin Clan continued this year. On the fourth night we gathered to honor the tradition of lighting the menorah and exchanging gifts with the kids. Cousin Jenny made the latkes, I brought homemade matzo ball soup. The food, all so yummy from being made with love, was shared amongst cousins and made for a sweet evening that further solidified the connections of our family. 

Growing up in New York, Hanukkah with my cousins was one of the highlights of the year. Even now, I think back on the cozy den in my aunt and uncle's house fondly; In my mind's eye, I see their den with the golden carpet, where we all crammed into, to exchange gifts, laugh at my fathers many jokes, run from Uncle Norman's tickling and of course we shared holiday treats. That Amara and Havana are experiencing that same tradition with cousins Ben and Theo makes my heart very happy. I am sure that somewhere, the souls of my father and my uncle are experiencing joy as we continue to light the menorah each year. 

What's Hanukkah without gelt? Here in California we are spoiled with See's chocolate gelt.

Girls on the Run (Golden Gate Park)

Amara and Aniyah; Peanut Butter and Jelly, getting ready for the race.

This Fall, a group of girls at school took on a special project. They joined Girls on the Run, a girls running club aimed not only at encouraging and training girl runners but geared towards teaching girls the important things that build strong females; confidence, friendship, positive thinking and the importance of individuality as well team playing.

Coach's Nori and Maureen led each bi-weekly meeting that helped the girls get stronger in their running and stronger in themselves. I had the good fortune of leading a few of the meetings where I was left with a happy heart, both physically, mentally and emotionally, as the girls learned to work together, push themselves to new limits and discover that what they think and feel matters.

The day of the race the team, along with family and friends, joined together for the 5k that they had worked so hard towards completing. It was quite rewarding for all when they crossed that finish line.

As the girls were found of saying, "Girls on the Run is so much fun."

Uncle Dick came out to run with Amara. Aunt Liz was there too cheering us on!

PB&J

Warm up.

Amara with Coach Nori.

Havana wanted to run the 5k too. She did a great job but Mama had to help out much of the way. Here we cross the finish line together. It was awesome.

 Above is Alex, one of the boys from school who joined us and below is Zamir, coach Maureen's son.

Post Run  Lunch with some of the gals! They all rocked it. 

(I am very thankful to Anayiah's dad, who took many of the above photos for me.)

Ballerina Girl

Havana has begun ballet classes again. This photo was taken a few weeks prior to her first class. 

Girlfriend is a natural.

Nature Child

There is something about nature,  about being in the natural world that resonates with the soul. Sadly, in this busy modern world, too many of us get lost in the concrete jungles. As a result, our souls rarely reaps the benefits of the natural world's nourishment. Being out in nature is crucial for one's mental, emotional and spiritual health and development.

Nature is not always peaceful. There is trauma and chaos just as there is in the man made world. However, there is a complicated order in the natural world. The natural order that is connected to the Divine. Even in the mists of perceived madness, there is rhyme and reason to the cycles of the the natural world.

In our family, being outdoors is as important as food and water. Even on rainy or cold days, we make time to hike, play or even work in the yard. Breathing in fresh air and discovering the many surprises outside make the girls lives richer, fuller, deeper.

Some years back, I read a spiritually focused parenting book that suggested when children go outside, to not supply them with toys. Instead, allow them to find their playthings in their natural environment. I tried that during that years annual camping trip (with some reservations of having two bored children). To my delight, two days passed without with a complaint of boredom. Rather, we heard endless laughter, witnessed the most creative stick concoctions and the sound of feet in constant motion. Less was definitely more. We have often repeated this on camping trips,  during hikes, or in the backyard.

During our recent adventure looking for the monarch butterflies, the girls made a new friend with whom they spent almost two hours collecting vines to weave together and leaves to decorate their new pals scooter. When it was time to call it a day it was like herding cats. Despite the 46 degree weather, the girls just didn't want to go. There was too much to explore; the natural world providing endless possibilities for their vast imaginations.