March weekends

We had a quiet weekend this weekend - getting ready for our trip to Paris next weekend, taking it easy after the past two weekends away from home, and recovering from springing forward this morning.  Saturday morning was very nice (although a little chilly).  I got a run in and we all enjoyed walking downtown to run a few errands.  We were even able to grill hamburgers on the terrace before the rains came Saturday afternoon.  

Kristiansand, Norway
Two weekends ago we went to Kristiansand.  We went because Stepler was scheduled to go to a conference there and we wanted to take Rory to the zoo.  The three-hour drive there is beautiful (at least what I saw when I wasn't napping).

It was past lunchtime when we arrived, so we quickly checked in at the hotel and headed out in search of lunch.  We wanted something quick and easy.  I was lured into a Tex-Mex restaurant because we do not have Tex-Mex in Stavanger.  As we walked in I was still a bit skeptical of it, the menu reassured me, and the food itself was pretty good.  Really good for Norway.  We shared loaded nachos and quesadillas.  After lunch we wandered around the city center and played at a playground before going back to the hotel for a bit of a rest.  Supper that night was at a seafood restaurant on the water.  My meal was a lot of work - everything required peeling or cracking - but it was worth it.

Sunday morning we went to the zoo!  The zoo was very nice and it was a beautiful day, but snow and ice were still everywhere.  We saw lions, lots of birds, little monkeys, chimpanzees, meerkats, kangaroos, a lion and an orangutan.  We watched the orangutan through the windows of the orangutan house and twice it got close to us.  The third time it got close to us it really scared Rory and each time it came back to us she was very anxious about having it so close to her.  And we've heard the orangutan got close to me! many times since then.

Suada, Norway
Last weekend was the Marathon ski weekend.  Late Friday afternoon we boarded a boat filled with Marathon employees and their families and went to Suada.  It was a rainy afternoon and we could not see out the boat's windows, but the boat was a very comfortable way to travel.  After the boat docked in Suada it was just a quick bus ride to our hotel.  By the time we'd all had a late dinner together in the hotel's dining room, it was past Rory's bedtime.

Saturday morning there was a buffet breakfast at the hotel and we had the chance to pack our lunch from the buffet.  Our family was the first down to breakfast.  Rory is quite an early riser.

We all took a bus to the ski center.  Upon arriving at the ski center I went to the rental office to ask about the lessons I'd been emailing the instructor about.  There was a group of five beginners who were interested in taking lessons.  At first we were told yes we could have a lesson, then we were told no you can't, and then finally we were allowed to take our lesson.

The two instructors showed us how to stop, showed us how to catch the lift, and then we were taking the lift up the mountain.  I think the first time down the mountain I set a record for most falls.  Two of the people taking lessons gave up before even getting halfway down the mountain.  I went down the mountain at least three times.  The last two times the instructor was skiing backwards in front of me.  That was very helpful, but I was still quite nervous about going too fast and falling.  Maybe next year I'll take more lessons.

In the meantime Rory and Stepler had lunch and then got out Rory's sled.  They came over so they could see me attempting to ski.  There was a small hill at the bottom of the mountain I was skiing down so Rory sled down it a few times.  The time passed very quickly and it was soon time for Rory and me to catch the first bus back to the hotel.  While Rory and I napped at the hotel, Ryan cross country skied.

Rory slept through the snowman competition but we went outside to take a look at them before supper.  Rory found a room with crayons and paper so she colored while Ryan and I chatted with the other adults there.  We all ate supper together again and then it was Rory's bedtime.

On Sunday Rory and I skipped the ski center, but Stepler went, rented downhill skis, and had a good time on the slopes.  Rory and I hung out in the room until check-out time, went for a walk, had lunch, and then chatted with a few other Marathon folks who had not gone skiing.  It was then time for the boat ride back.  The weather was decent on Sunday so we were able to see the sights (mountains, trees, small towns) that we had not seen during the rainy ride Friday.

Rory has the upcoming week off from school for Easter and then on Thursday we leave for Paris.  We'll be there for five nights and have plans to see as much of Paris as we can with a two and half year old.
    

Green eggs & ham

Dr. Seuss's birthday was March 2nd.  So we celebrated with Dr. Seuss books, the Horton Hears a Who DVD, and green eggs and ham for breakfast on Saturday.  Rory is still talking about her special breakfast!

silly girl enjoying breakfast

Rory and I went for a run today.  Our first run together since before Christmas.  She seemed excited to see her jogging stroller again.  It has been warm enough this week that the snow has finally begun to melt.  When we got the stroller from the balcony, Rory noted that there was no snow on the balcony, just a little bit of ice.  When she and Stepler put the stroller back on the balcony later, even the ice was gone.  Finally the thaw has begun!  Hoping it continues.