And a Good Time Was Had by All ...

Today we went to experience the snow with our children before it's too late for this season and it all melts away. The only way we were willing to venture out to do this was to have a specific destination in mind that offered hot chocolate, restrooms, and a place to go indoors. We decided on Squaw Valley. After spending the first few hours of the day getting everyone breakfasted, dressed, lunches made and all the accoutrements that go with babies and small children packed, we pulled out at 11am. We'd hoped to leave between 9-10am, but with a large brood, we're learning to be flexible.

Two hours later, driving two cars and having had only one baby scream for the last 20 minutes, we arrived. (Beloved Pearl and I had an awesome time chatting the whole way up and back. Though we do live and work together every day, we're pretty busy and don't always have as much time to talk as we'd like.) Packing the babies into the double stroller and making sure everyone had their warm things on, we discovered that Laughter had forgotten her coat and Mommy had forgotten to remind/help her find one. Well, we'll make the best of it. We planned to make this a short trip anyway.

After wandering around base camp to get our bearings, we decided to eat lunch at an outdoor barbecue area where we could see the skiers riding the lift and ending their runs. It was worth braving the cold wind in the shade for the chance to soak up the atmosphere and people-watch. (Plenty of people were watching us too, I'm sure!) As soon as the food had been consumed (and bottles warmed by nice taco-sellers at Beloved Pearl's request, and enjoyed by two hungry babies), we were ready to re-enter the sunshine and find some snow to play in. We trooped behind our brave leader as he scoped out the possibilities and settled on a patch of snow in front of a store. It was just the right size for our little crew! We laughed as we pictured how silly we must look playing in this tiny patch of snow and taking pictures as if this were the most marvelous experience we'd ever had while entire snow-covered mountains surrounded us. But we were having a blast! Even Thunder got to enjoy this snow adventure in miniature. Our brave Little Tree was delighted to discover another snowy hill just a few feet away, so we hiked across the pavement to have snow balls chucked at us by four gleeful children.

Laughter was unfortunately starting to turn blue, so we ended our snow exploration to retreat inside a Starbucks. Finding a little corner to take over (the only other occupants being a pair of very nice ladies who spoke kindly to our Precious Crown), Saltracer ordered a bunch of hot chocolates (our only expense on this trip besides gas). These having been consumed with great enjoyment (and only two spills, a few dozen napkins and a mop), we headed out. Stopped by the restroom to make sure those who could go potty in the toilet went and those who couldn't were changed (discovering after the first un-diapering that all diapers had been left in the van, so auntie ran to tell daddy who ran to get them while auntie stayed with those outside the bathroom and mommy stood guard over aforementioned un-diapered baby and those children who were still in the bathroom). Loaded up the cars two hours after having arrived with four tired and happy children, two tired and not quite as happy babies, and three tired and happy grownups for an uneventful drive home.

Not bad. Not bad at all.