Monday, February 20, 2012

The Importance of Having Fun


We’ve all heard the adage “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!” Well, we SMFs have done our best to make the opposite true. As windows of opportunity allowed, we did get together as often as possible to make the most of life and friendship.

This story takes three post-grad Fairies, by more years than I care to mention, on vacation together. It places us during February vacation week at Loon Mountain, New Hampshire for an impromptu winter escape for just moms and kids.

It’s about friends and families having fun together. It’s about making the most of snowy weather rather than just shoveling it! It’s about adventure with people that have not been together before and finding the best common denominator for the occasion…both moms and teenagers!

Pack the bags, stuff the gear, clamp the skis, grab the groceries and hit the road. DRIVE three hours. Get the condo key and let the excitement begin! Tickets, schedules and lessons at hand and the first day has begun. A loving kiss on each frozen cheek and we had three teenagers at three separate slopes with the moms heading for Dunkin’ Donuts making for a great start. With coffee in hand, the moms head back to the condo to straighten up, prepare the meals and enjoy as much quiet and relaxation as we can.

As we pull into the driveway…”who has the key?” The plan was to give one key to the kids and keep the other two for us; but, who to whom was the question. Three moms sat in the car knowing all three had given the keys to each child! Laugh we did. Make the most of it we did. Near frozen by dusk, the three teens arrived home to find us sitting in the car…no dinner, hot coffees gone and all six of us ready to make a mad dash for the bathroom!

With a tiny kitchen, it was necessary for us to perform a ballet for all to chip in and get supper prepared. Strewn about were thawing mittens, wet socks frost bitten noses and the most welcomed warm meal ever eaten. “Who wants to go for the night run on the slopes?” We laughed, exhausted. Drag out the board games instead. We hoped there were enough pieces for six players. Then again, there’s always Madlibs! Sleep came early and better plans were made for the next day.  What a great way to start a vacation!

The time together was perfect as it was all impromptu, spontaneous and without stress even with the long lines for the lifts. Fun was had by one and all, in spite of me wiping out on the bunny slope! The weather was great and we did finally hit the night slopes in minus thirty degree temps for tubing in the dark. The night lifts were amazing to see above the tree tops. It was like being a shooting star!

All these years later and we can still laugh like it was yesterday. The proof is in the pictures! Laugh well, laugh often and enjoy each and every day!

Cathy









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