The kids had swim class tonight. All day long I heard all about their excitement for swim class. I rather enjoyed knowing that they were enjoying it so much (especially since they have only had one class so far). Milayla was particularly excited since I would be the one accompanying her in the pool this week. So when we made record time getting everyone fed, dressed, into the vehicle and buckled up we were all pretty confident we would get there on time, and even into swimsuits on time. But then our car failed to start. Our vehicle has a knack for failing to start at some pretty awkward moments. I'm just grateful that we have not been stuck in the middle of no where without it starting - middle of winter is not the time for that!
So we said a prayer, offered in the wonderfully sweet words that only a 5 year old can render I am sure, and Jason determined to get the car working. I looked at the time, and determined that we were getting those kids to swim class one way or another and I did not think the car was going to be that way (at least not today). So we added extra winter layers to the kids, it was -26c after all, squished them into the sled and started trekking down the slippery sidewalks. And by trekking I really mean running. We had to make it there in short order after all.
Jason and I traded off roles between pulling the sled, carrying backpacks and carrying Milayla (because she changed her mind about where she wanted to be in it all), all while running. I've got to say, working up a sweat while outside when it is this cold feels like a pretty big accomplishment. I actually started to feel a little bit of a desire to become one of those crazy winter runners who put spikes on the bottom of their runners just so they don't wipe out (I'm a mild temperature runner...at least until now :) ). I can't vouch that I will follow through on that desire, but I digress.
At one point, while I was running behind the sled to ensure no child fell out, or decided to start dragging their foot to create some unneeded friction, I looked at those 3 little winter adorned heads and couldn't help but smile. They were loving it (except Phineas was not too keen on any of the times that we stopped). They were giggling wildly for most of the journey. Their eyes lit up when they realized that we were taking the sled and they were showing their happiness again and again. I wanted to stop and take a picture to remember that scene, but there was little point in stopping seeing that I didn't even have my phone with me to take a picture and I was really trying to get the kids there on time. So I tried to do what Atticus says he does and take a picture with my eyes. It was an awesome moment and I felt so blessed to have it (even if it meant our car not working...again). And I was filled with some pretty immense gratitude that we have the health to do this with our kids. Bodies are incredible and I am so thankful that ours are in working order. It was a fun little adventure and it was even better to do it all together.
So even though the kids were a tad tired of the sled by the time we made it, I am grateful we did it. I am also grateful that Jason and I finally managed to get ourselves some winter coats so that we were all properly dressed for the weather. It was a good enough experience that Jason and I remarked that we should plan on doing it another time (allowing a bit more time to get there). Though, depending what happens with that vehicle of ours, we may be doing that regardless! I'm also pretty thankful that we are all learning to love and embrace winter this year - it makes such a difference. Though, having written all this, I still feel like my words are terribly inadequate for describing the experience. I sure hope that picture with my eyes takes hold for a while!
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