Full Moon Madness

We survived the week and were rewarded with a mild, stunningly sunny Saturday. Alas, we elected to run errands and take care of business instead of heading out on an adventure. We promised ourselves that we would get out in the afternoon. Chores took longer than expected, errands took longer than planned, lunch was late, no one was down for a nap before 2, and by the time Jasper woke up in his typical desperate state, it was 4:30 and threatening dusk. Clouds were rolling in from the west, but the warm evening inspired us to hold our promise. We grabbed some cheese sticks and goldfish for "supper" and stuffed the Js into their snow suits. Peter spent a good 30 minutes fitting three set of skis, all of our ice skates, and a "polk" (towing sled) for the kids into the back of the car. By the time we were heading out the door, it was indisputably dark. Night. Aware that we were potentially embarking on a fiasco, we left.

Shockingly, Jasper and Josie went along with the plan (or lack thereof), and didn't seem perturbed by the fact that we were skipping dinner and going skiing when we should be getting ready for bed. The hot cocoa in their sippy cups may have helped.

We arrived at Carter Hill Orchard at half past five under dark, cloudy skies. But somehow the moonlight made it through to light the snow enough to see by. As we pulled into the parking area 

Jasper gagged on his cheese s

tick and puked all over his snow suit. Luckily, we had neglected to feed him, so there wasn't much to chuck up. And it was warm enough that he didn't really need his snow suit after all. We stripped him down and stuffed him into the the polk with Josie, two sleeping bags, and the goldfish.

Then the moon miraculously appeared, lighting our way for a solid 45 minute ski around the orchard, the kids snuggling, babbling and giggling behind us the entire way. We were home by 6:45, in time for a few bites of supp

lemental supper, baths and a movie. A spectacular Saturday night.

As I kissed Jasper goodnight, he popped up to ask: "Is tomorrow a school day?!" We both felt a warm wave of relieve as I reminded him that tomorrow is Sunday. Another snuggleaslongaswewantto day. Hurray.