We bundled up before we went out to the local nature center. My wife had gotten Kai some new winter gear to keep him warm on our outdoor adventures.
The complaints started as soon as we got out of the car.
I DON’T LIKE THIS HAT! I CAN’T TALK!
I took off the new ski mask that covered parts of Kai’s face.
I’M ITCHY!
I took off the new gloves that extended all the way up his arms.
When we started trying to walk with the snowshoes, the complaints resumed.
I HATE THIS THING!
Kai had fallen down. The snowshoes are longer and wider than boots so it takes a bit of getting used to so you don’t step on yourself. The walking motion is also different, more of a march where you lift your leg instead of dragging your feet along.
He couldn’t seem to get a handle on how to use the poles. It didn’t seem hard to me at all, but Kai was uncoordinated and the poles got in his way rather than helped him stay up.
My wife offered to carry his poles.
I WANT TO GO HOME!
I was getting impatient. I yelled at him to keep trying.
This was not looking good.
But at some point he started to get the hang of it. We all did.
And we made it to our goal: the frozen pond.
He enjoyed the walk. We all got exercise. And we got to get out on a sunny day.
I’ll put this in the ‘win’ column.
It seems Kai had quite the adventure. A challenge conquered and a new skill learned. He will remember his first time snow shoeing... and good times with his family.
ReplyDeleteYes, hopefully he will remember the good part... though every time he encounters a new challenge, he does not seem to remember that he conquered challenges before (and could do it again).
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