I’m telling ya…this kid is the best.  He raked them all up, let Medium & her friend jump in, raked them again, more jumping, raked, jumped, rake, jump, rake, jump, rake, jump….even Small got in on the action!

I didn’t say it was a BIG pile.  Only that they had fun.

Clearly there isn’t enough time in one evening to get into details on each issue with 12 candidates, but that’s okay.  Because you CAN get a sense of the way the candidates operate (i.e. displaying an iPad flashing the number of students in our area who have left the CMS system a la Larry Bumgarner, or making polarizing statements in the midst of answering questions as in Dr. Plots’ “We all know that when Myers Park wants something, they get it.”) and these tidbits give us an idea of what the candidates would be like to work with.  Which is just as important as where they stand on issues.

Here’s a recap, followed by my conclusions:

Topic 1: 6 randomly selected candidates answer a question relating to a topic the audience chose. 

Question: Does the increased use of standardized testing lead to teaching to the test?

Rankin: Not necessarily, but it does shift focus in the classroom.  Mr. Rankin advocates for less testing and more focus on skill sets that are harder to capture on standardized testing. (i.e. critical thinking skills)

McRay: When the testing is tied to teacher compensation it will lead to teaching to the test.

Morgan: No. Testing makes teachers use other strategic teaching methods to make sure students do well.  Professional development is a big part of this as well.

Dashew: Testing does play a role to provide data on instruction.  But we should focus on other things like critical thinking in order to prepare kids for the world they are graduating to.

Plotseneder: Testing changes teaching.  As a teacher as West Meck High, he feels we need to modify testing away from all multiple choice.

Pomis: As a teacher he recognized that testing helped him to teach more effectively.  But the pendulum can swing too far and it has.  The promise to our students needs to be to prep them to excel in college, build character, life skills, etc.

Topic 2: The remaining 6 candidates answer a question relating to a topic the audience chose.

Question: What are CMS schools doing well today and how might we replicate those successes?

Scher: United States schools are falling behind.  We need to look at European models, such as kids staying with the same teacher for multiple years, and bring new ideas.

Nelson: CMS is doing nothing well.  26% of students don’t graduate and they have no vocational training to help them.  18% of freshmen are held back.

Bumgarner: 1,200 of the 1,600 students that came from CMS into CPCC require remediation.  One positive is the charter schools.  We could put one in every neighborhood to compete with neighborhood schools.

Hurley:  There are schools who keep students with teachers for more than one year, it’s called “looping.”  It’s very successful and shouldn’t be hidden at certain schools.  It should be expanded.  We also need to stop over-testing and support teachers.  [insert tangent re: teaching vocations i.e. training beauticians, mechanics, etc., not bussing students, referring to HB 546 and renaming PFP (Pay for Performance) "Pete Forgot the People."]

Wise: We have strong magnet schools.  Administrators are given more flexibility in underperforming schools to allow for improvements.  Both should be expanded.  Kids need to feel like individuals.  Teachers need a collaborative environment, not a competitive one (i.e. PFP).

Ellis-Stewart: While running a drop out prevention program she learned that we need to focus on academics and keep the bar high, quality teachers who are effective, students must be exposed to broader community, and CMS needs to engage partnerships with parent groups, faith-based groups, health & human services so children can come to school ready to learn.

Question & Answer: Questions from the audience (once a candidate has been asked a question, he or she cannot be asked another question until all candidates have been asked a question)

To Bumgarner – How do you propose to bring the community together to make schools more successful?

Answer: Competition.  There are 37,390 students in charter, private & home-schools.  We need competition to make our neighborhood schools better.

To Scher – Why are you running for school board?

Answer: I spent 8 years as a County Commissioner, ran a business for 32 years, have raised 5 foster kids.  Teacher and students are not being respected.

To Morgan – Last year my daughter went to a CMS school and came home on April 1st with a testing prep packet.  From then on the learning stopped and it was all test prep.  I’ve pulled my kids out and they go to Latin now.  How will you help my kids come back to CMS?

Answer: Does not approve of learning ending in April.  Wishes he’d known of this sooner.

To Hurley: What factors should be included in evaluating teachers?

Answer: Principal, the School Improvement Plan, SMART program.  Also mentioned that the Strategic Plan of 2014 isn’t being implemented.

To Nelson: What are your thoughts on No Child Left Behind and it’s incentives?

Answer: The legislation is the result of good intentions, but doesn’t work.  Needs to be scrapped and we should go back to what we did 50 years ago.  Control needs to be at the local level, not the federal level.

To McCray:  Do you have the experience necessary to evaluate __________ (couldn’t hear)?

Answer:  Yes.  As a classroom teacher for 34 years, and an affiliate of many education groups she has had the privilege of visiting other school districts here and abroad to meet with people and see what strategies are working elsewhere.

To Plotseneder: In September the CDC said that 70% of high school students are sleep deprived leading to a myriad of problems ranging from academics to depression.  Our schools starting so early exacerbate this problem.  What are your thoughts?

Answer: Agree completely.  As a high school teacher he sees this everyday.  100% in favor of changing the bus schedule.

To Rankin: What are your thoughts on the longer day for elementary school students?

Answer: He has not seen the benefit, and it should be changed.

To Wise: What types of programs would you implement to support teachers and increase morale?

Answer: He would scrap PFP and explore the system they’re using in California which involves rigorous peer review and teacher support system.

To Pomis: You come from the Charter system with smaller class sizes.  How will you adjust to dealing with the CMS?

Answer: At the KIPP school, we have over 30 kids in a classroom, so he’s used to larger class size.  The problems arise when communities are pitted against each other and given either/or propositions.  At the Community Charter school he helped align the school priorities and with budget priorities and student achievement increased while maintaining a budget surplus.

To Dashew: At the Community House two electives were recently removed.  Journalism and Fitness….which students needs to help fight obesity.  How would you change this?

Answer:  Sad to hear about these classes being cut, and doesn’t know all the details.  But she would like to partner with the student who proposed the question to figure it out.  While these decisions are and should be made by the principal, she would be accessible to students, teacher, parents and principals to help.

To Stewart: With some of your campaign money coming from the Chamber of Commerce, will you rescind HB 546?

Answer: She’s received no money from the Chamber of Commerce.  CMS slapped teachers in the face with HB 546 and it needs to be taken off the table.  Teachers need to be celebrated in CMS and we need to make CMS the employer of choice for teachers nationwide.

To Morgan: We now have a seven point grading scale, but other districts have different scales, such as 10 point.  What’s your opinion on changing to a 10 point grading scale?

Answer: CMS has used the 7 point scale for over 20 years.  It was in place when he graduated from CMS and he sees no reason not to support it.

To Dashew: I live in Montclaire neighborhood which is over 50 years old.  No one wants to go to the neighborhood school.  How do we improve that?

Answer:  It will take the full community to improve that.  Parent leaders are making a difference and helping turn things around at some schools.  As a Board, we need to empower parents and support their efforts.

To Nelson: At my school there has been a dispute about Senior exit projects this year.  What are your thoughts?

Answer: Graduation should be based on proficiency, not necessarily a project.  If it involved forced volunteerism, he is 100% opposed to it.  In the end, local schools should make the decision, not the Board.

To Pomis: Who should have more voice when it comes to education?  Students, teachers or principal and why?

Answer:  Everyone needs a voice.  Students because it’s their lives.  Teachers because they can give the best on-the-ground feedback.  Principals too, but the closer you are to a classroom the more you should talk.  The farther away from a classroom, the more you should listen.

To McCray: What are your thoughts on the bathroom facilites including toilet paper and woman products?

Answer: It’s pretty crappy. (got a lot of laughs)  Typically the woman products are not available so as a classroom teacher she has made it a practice to keep them in her classroom for students.

To Rankin: Recently students have begun to have to pay for the testing in their AP classes.  Should students be reimbursed for the cost of testing if they receive a 4 or 5 on the test?

Answer: No.  When students enroll in AP classes, the costs is known.  Also, the AP classes provide a benefit to the student.

To Bumgarner: How will you effectively help keep schools open during the budget crunch?

Answer: It comes down to priorities.  We have millions to the symphony, why not schools?  We should allow PTSAs and Superintendents to operate schools.

To Stewart: Does CMS properly reflect Mecklenburg county’s demographics?  Should it?

Answer: The diversity of a school depends on the area.  Some schools are more brown, some are more caucasian and some are in the middle.  We have work to do on how schools are populated.  We need to ensure diversity, improve the quality of programs everywhere, and embrace diversity as a community.

To Plotseneder: There is a difference in resources among schools.  How is that acceptable?

Answer: It’s not acceptable.  He sees it everyday as a teacher at West Meck High where he is still waiting on textbooks for one subject.  We all know that when Myers Park wants something they get it.  CMS should provide the same equipment for every school.  We need to catch up as a district.  We have too few computers and too many administrators.

Lightening Round: Each candidate will have one minute to respond to what has been said.

Stewart: Gave her background.  Has been an advocate in Charlotte for 20 years.  Wants to facilitate conversations.

Wise: Spoke about projects vs. EOGs and how much more useful a thoughtful project could be.

Hurley: Discussed over-testing and the anxiety it brings students.  Some students wind up on medication to deal with it, then when they transfer out of CMS they come off the meds and do fine.

Bumgarner: Worked in gang prevention. Says if your kids are familiar with SWARM technology and are bilingual, there’s no need to vote for him.  But if they aren’t, you should.

Nelson: Regarding losing electives, it’s because of testing.  Journalism should be taught in english, but can’t be because it isn’t on the EOGs.  We’re sending tons of money to the West side of Charlotte.  The budget isn’t an issue of resources, it’s an issue of priority.

Scher: Taught at West Meck, Harding, etc.  We need to use technology (textbooks on iPods).  Main issue is changing the budget process.  Need to make the State give CMS their figures on April 1st, and the County should give their figures on April 15th so CMS doesn’t have to keep firing and rehiring teachers.

Pomis: Student at KIPP recently wrote his goals, 1) Go to UNC-Chapel Hill  2) Become a dentist  3)  Be a good dad.  This campaign is more about George Wise for dentist than Aaron Pomis for school board.  He’s committed to giving students the best opportunities.

Potseneder: The three things he has:  1)More relevant education (masters from UNCC in school administration) 2) More experience in business (IBM & BofA) 3) 14 specific strategies for moving forward

Dashew: Why is she running? She is passionate about change and bringing communities together.  Our economic prosperity is tied to the quality of our schools.

Morgan: Yes, only 76% of our students graduate.  But that number was 60% four years ago.  Progress is being made.  This election is about whether or not we want to continue moving forward, or go backwards.

McCray: 50 years ago she was in 2nd grade in an all brown school, at a different facility with substandard resources.  Thank goodness we don’t have to go back to the way things were done 50 years ago.  Also, money is flowing to the west side now to make up for past neglect.

Rankin: We are in the midst of a war of quality education, and our children are on the battlefield.  He is willing to listen and wants to come together with the community to set priorities first before finding a new superintendent so we can make sure the two align.

My thoughts

So, since I took tons of notes and typed up this handy-dandy recap….I’m not going to feel bad about spouting my opinions.  Here they are, candidate by candidate:

Know that I’m going into this thought process weighing each candidates issues equally with their perceived ability to be effective and collaborative leaders.  We need to do some serious trust-building in this community and if the BOE is constantly at odds and we fill it with fire starters, it’s not going to work.

Bumgarner:  His positions include: school competition being the answer and deconsolidating the school district.  There are lots of grammatical errors on his answers to the MeckEd survey (maybe that shouldn’t matter, but it does to me), and he feels like a lightning rod.  After watching him give short and arrogant responses at the debate he doesn’t seem collaborative at all.

Dashew: She is very knowledgeable about CMS and is clearly taking a position of availability and partnership.  Knowing that she springs from a parent advocacy group (MeckFUTURE) lends some credibility there.  I like her honesty about the role of testing (to gather data for students and teachers), and that she has real ideas about places to cut costs as well as funding priorities.

Ellis-Stewart: I liked everything about her (advocacy, her position against HB 546, and her knowledge that the entire community needs to rally around kids to make sure they enter school ready to learn).  Then she said, “we need to look at how schools are populated” in a discussion about school diversity.  Which, in my head, translates to being in favor of bussing.  Since my head can’t be trusted, I’ve e-mailed her and asked for clarification and will post her response upon receipt.

Hurley: I agree with a lot of his positions (in favor of looping and vocational training, opposed to bussing, over-testing, HB 546, PfP), I was turned off by his inability to stay focused while answering questions.  Not sure someone who spends time coming up with catch phrases like PfP stands for “Pete Forgot the People” is someone who can work well with others.

McCray: She seems like a very nice lady and a teacher I’d like my children to have.  I’m not sure if maybe she didn’t have a chance to shine in this debate because her questions were a bit fluffy (Do you have experience, and the bathroom question) or if it’s because she just doesn’t shine.  When I read her survey responses, I like them.  But I’m just not excited by her.

Morgan: OK, here’s the deal.  I’m not even going to address his issues or whether or not I agree with him….because it doesn’t matter.  He’s already on the Board of Education.  He represents District 6.  If he’s elected to an At-Large position, he will vacate his District 6 seat and the Board will appoint his replacement.  So, voting for Tim Morgan is, in essence, giving your vote to the Board to do with what they please.  I take my right to vote very seriously, and am not giving it away.  Period.

Nelson: It seemed like every time he opened his mouth, a train wreck fell out:  ”CMS does nothing well.”  ”We should go back to what we did 50 years ago.”  He agrees with some pretty mainstream ways of thinking, i.e. NCLB was well intentioned, but doesn’t work.  But he had a tendency to let his mouth run away with him and that’s not productive.

Plotseneder: I’m befuddled.  I left the debate not enjoying him at all.  His comment about Myers Park getting whatever they want was a huge red flag because I don’t like lightening rods.  But as I look back over his answers, I’m find myself pausing.  He’s for changing bus schedules, wants all schools to have the same equipment, says “testing changes teaching” and had laid out specific strategies that are pretty great….though totally unattainable. (Not to be cynical, but come on….the Board almost couldn’t put 5 votes together to form a committee to explore outsourcing.  Not to actually outsource.  Just to explore it to see if it might save us money.  Amazing.)  But he gets points for having a plan, right?  *long thoughtful pause*  All of that said, if he’s a lightening rod…it doesn’t matter if he has good ideas.  So, I’m going to pass.

Pomis: I’ve got an e-mail in to his volunteer coordinator, because I want a sign in my yard.  This guy impressed me.  Not only do I LOVE KIPP schools (he’s AP, Dean of Instruction at KIPP Charlotte), but I loved every word that came out of his mouth.  ”The closer you are to a classroom, the more you should talk.  The further you are from a classroom, the more you should listen.”  ’Kids need to be prepared to excel in college AND have character skills necessary to succeed in life.’  ”We need to align academic priorities with budget priorities.” Even the totally campy and rehearsed, “George Wise for dentist” line got me.  Hook.  Line.  Sinker.  Pomis for School Board.

Rankin:  He seems well-intentioned, but I’m not excited about him.  As I look over his responses to questions, I’m not offended or moved any any of them.  (In favor of ditching the extra 45 minutes/per for elementary kids, fine with students paying for AP test, in favor of less testing.)  I’m not big on the “War on quality education” line…but it’s not unforgivable.  Then I checked his responses to the MeckEd survey and he says he has no opinion on Weighted Student Staffing.  Really?  How do you NOT have an opinion on that?  What does that mean?  You don’t know what it is?  You can take it or leave it?  I don’t get it.

Scher: Not impressed.  Didn’t answer the question on what CMS is doing well.  Didn’t inspire me with why he’s running.  Kindof creeped me out. (Just being honest.)  Went to his Facebook page for more info and it’s not pretty.  Lots of ranting on issues ranging from the Democrats not supporting him to a friend saying she was going to call….then not calling.  Can’t elect a whiner.  Moving on.

Wise: Again, not much of an impression in person, but as I look back over his answers….I like them.  He can name things CMS does well and wants to scrap PfP and start over.  Looking at his survey answers, I agree with him across the board.  Continue the progress made with weighted student staffing, reduce testing (“It means little if 90% of our students graduate but cannot make it successfully in the world.”), etc.  In person, he didn’t leave much of an impression….but looking back objectively, I like him.

So that boils down to:

NO: Bumgarner, Hurley, Morgan, Nelson, Rankin, Scher, Plotseneder

MAYBE: Dashew, McCray, Wise

LIKELY: Ellis-Stewart (pending response on bussing)

YES: Pomis

More info for your decision making pleasure:

Where to find the candidates. (survey links, links to websites, facebook, etc.)

Political affiliations:  

Republicans: Hurley, Nelson & Morgan (though Hurley was registered as “unaffiliated” before Davis dropped out of the race, which left only two Republicans in the field)

Democrats: Ellis-Stewart, McCray, Plotseneder, Pomis, Rankin, Scher

Unaffiliated: Bungarner, Dashew, Wise

I “play” by making jokes.  Large equates “playing” with the Wii or board games.  Medium “plays” by hanging with friends.  Small “plays” by mimicking, which I think is pretty typical for someone his age.

So it came as no surprise to me that when I pull out the vacuum, he runs in circles humming like a vacuum cleaner.

THIS however, did catch me off guard…..

and has brought me endless smiles since.

Elmo made a appearance at Learning Express in Huntersville on Saturday.  Small had a blast building up the courage to get close, then finally going in for 100 hugs and giggles.  It was really the cutest thing ever.  :)

While we were there we used the $5 off bonus card in the 2012 Entertainment book and grabbed some math flash cards for Medium.

Mama loves a coupon!

To stay in the know, you can Like the Huntersville Learning Express on Facebook.

Of all the pick-your-own experiences out there, apples are my favorite.  Climbing on each others shoulders, kids in wagons, filling baskets, deliciousness of a fresh picked apple covered with morning dew…and possibly best of all, the apple cider slushies at the end.

We got our wagons, baskets and because I gave them no choice, we stopped for these pictures:

They groan about them every year, but I love them.  Mostly because I now have the ability to do this:

and this:

Crazy, right?  The changes in three years are astounding.  Sorry…trips down memory lane are inevitable once I start playing around in iPhoto.

ANYway, back on track.  We took off into the orchard toward our favorite apple trees, the Jonagolds.

And got to work….

Some worked harder than others…

Working together, it didn’t take long to fill our baskets and head back to the cider mill.

We went back to the store where we weighed and paid for our apples. (58 cents/pound!!)  Plus, I can’t leave without a few gallons of their award winning cider and some apple treats for the ride back.  This is Medium’s favorite part….

As CLT Dad & I loaded up the car, the kids took a seat to rest and I quickly abandoned CLT Dad to snap more pictures….

As if it couldn’t get any better.  On Sunday, we turned this:

into this….

That’s 80 pints of apple butter….which the CLT kids eat daily all year long.  They take apple butter and peanut butter sandwiches to school for lunch.  :)

If you’re in need of a a fun outing and some delicious apples, check out the apple picking calendar or see what’s up on facebook.

I’ve felt that way for a couple of months now.  But I couldn’t figure out what I needed.  Then it hit me like a baby food jar smashing on the tile floor…

A desk.

If I had a proper desk with drawers and space to spread out, then AND ONLY THEN, could I realize my full potential. I would return to my glory days of organization.  ”I already did that” and “taken care of” would flow from my mouth daily.

As opposed to “Oh crap!  When was that due?”

So. Um.  Got a new desk today.  We found it at a tag sale and got a FABULOUS deal on a GORGEOUS set up.  Poor CLT Dad spent all day disassembling, loading his truck, bringing it home, helping me clean out the office, steam cleaning the carpets, and eventually reassembling said desk.

I’ve already ordered prescription refills, completed affidavits, organized binders, etc.  Then it hit me.  I’ve used my lack of desk as a scapegoat for a LOT of deficiencies lately.  It’s possible that I’ve oversold the ability of a desk to “fix” things.  I’m feeling the pressure to deliver here.  But 2 hours in, I’m doing ok.

Drinking and blogging totally count as “organizing.”

Thankfully, CLT Dad is used to the madness.  And even when the newness wears off and I’m back to my normal shenanigans, I’ll still have a place to spread out and work.  And the first room people see when they walk into our house won’t be an embarrassment.  So let’s hang a “Mission Accomplished” banner on this boat and call it a day.

That is all.

Snow, being outside, is his job.  I will put towels down by the door, make the cocoa, wash the snow gear, etc.  But I’m not going outside in that crap unless it’s to snap a quick picture then run back inside.

So when Medium wants to build a snowman or go sledding…it’s up to CLT Dad to make that happen.  I’ll be inside cuddling the baby.

Or reading on my new nookcolor & letting Small run amok in his walker.

Same thing.

Naturally, Medium wanted a snowman AND sledding.  But she & CLT Dad came to terms and agreed to sled and forego the snowman.  All settled….except that we have no sled.

Or cardboard boxes.

But CLT Dad found this…

However Medium put her foot down….

Mooooom.  Heeeelp.

I called Medium’s teacher (who lives right around the corner) and she agreed to let Medium borrow their sled.  So, I put CLT Dad’s phone in a ziploc bag….reminded him that it’s a camera….and sent them on their merry way.

They were gone for over an hour and when they got home Medium was frozen and totally OVER this whole snow thing.

By all accounts they had a great time sledding.  I wasn’t there to confirm….but doesn’t she look happy?

Of course she does.

CLT Dad didn’t take pictures, so there was a reinactment in the yard before I’d let either of them inside.

]]> http://cltmom.wordpress.com/2011/01/09/human-nature/feed/ 3 cltmom Sup? Whatcha doing? Duuuude http://cltmom.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/snow-tubing/ http://cltmom.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/snow-tubing/#comments Sat, 01 Jan 2011 19:27:35 +0000 cltmom http://cltmom.wordpress.com/?p=155 ]]> CLT Dad took this week off work so we could have a staycation with the kids. But instead of exploring our city, I spent a lot of time cleaning closets and we all played with our new Christmas toys. Probably not the best use of our time. But, it was nice to relax.

Eventually though, CLT Dad did threaten to go back to work if we didn’t get out of the house. So we explored Discovery Place Thursday…and went snow tubing Friday.  Since we’ve already done a big Discovery Place blog (as part of Operation Summer Sanity), I’m all about snow tubing today.

It was soooo fun. We did this for the first time a few years ago, and have been meaning to go back. But it’s not cheap…and it’s quite a drive, so it’s taken two years to make it happen.  Let me say this: SOOOO worth it. The kids had the BEST time. And it was really a confidence builder for Medium.

Last time we went, we picked Jonas Ridge and we were really happy with it. There is another, more commercial snow tubing park up there…but we’re more Mom & Pop folks. The prices are better, the environment is better…it’s a win/win.  We decided to go on New Year’s Eve because we didn’t have any other plans, and why not?

Why not?  The packing, that’s why not.  OMG.  Brutal. But once you’re past that part, it’s all downhill.

About half way up the mountain we (I) needed a break from the curvy mountain roads, so we stopped at an overlook and took a break.

It doesn’t look like there’s a big drop off right behind those rocks….but there is.

“We’re not going to fall off the mountain!”

“I’m sure that’s the last thing people think right before they fall off a mountain.  Get off of there!”

The overlook made Small super drooly.

Everyone back in the car!  We’re almost there.

When we arrived, the tubers (the kids & I) put on snow pants and got ready for the fun.

We made our way inside to pay ($25/person for a 2 hour pass) and to get CLT Dad & Small settled in.

How rockin’ is CLT Dad, by the way?  He could’ve stayed home with Small, but I’m not a mountain or snow driver so he came along to drive and watch Small.  Pretty awesome.

Once we were all paid up and got our passes, the kids and I headed outside to get the lay of the land .

The kids quickly got their tubes and went up the lift.

There are six lanes to choose from, ranging from slower to way fast.

Sadly this is where the pictures get light.  Most of them are blurry….

or they just don’t exist.  I was tubing too….so it was up to CLT Dad (who was watching Small) or CLT BFF (my friend, and Medium’s friend’s Mom) to take pictures.  I handed CLT BFF our new camera and wished her well.  It was a fabulous gift from my brother-in-law, but we have no clue how to work  a big professional camera.  Pictures either come out so clear you can see the drool falling from Small’s chin….or a blurry mess.  All regardless of the subject and whether or not they’re moving.  I need a class or something.  But, back to the main point, there aren’t many pictures and it’s not my fault.

You’re blame-shifting?!?  BLAME SHIFTER!!!

(name that movie)

That said, CLT BFF did get a super cute one of the girls….

They rock.

And I bought some very cool and very reasonably priced professional photos of Large rocking the super fast lane…

And another one….

A note about Medium.  When the day began, she was pretty scared.  She got on the lift, but only with help.  She required lots of help to get off the lift too.  (Some perspective: Getting on and off the lift requires walking and pulling your tube.)  She would only go down the first a.k.a. slowest lane.  And had to be part of a chain.  When her friend got a little more brave and was ready to move on to the faster lanes, Medium was in a pickle.  I had gone inside for a break, but CLT BFF alerted me that I was NOT off duty because Medium needed a buddy.

Easy enough.  As we headed up the lift, I asked which lane she wanted to go down (by now she was comfy on lanes 1-3…and her friend was going down #4 with Large).  She said, “the first one” and I thought we were regressing until she added, “and I want to go by myself!”

“Whoa?!  Really, Medium?”

“Yep.”  ~Nose rises into the air.  Chest puffs out.~ “I can do it by myself!”

“You SURE CAN!  I’ll go down right behind you.”

And that was that.  She wasn’t going down the super fast lanes….but she found a way to be a big girl on the slower lanes.  SOOO proud of her.  We spent the next 20 minutes or so going down side by side.  She’d go down lane 1, I’d go down lane 2….then we’d switch.  And when I went into the lodge for a break, she kept going.  All.  by.  herself.  On the lift, by herself.  Off the lift, by herself.  Down the lane, by herself.  A-maz-ing.

Was she a tad snotty about it at time?  Perhaps.

She totally gets that from me.  Not proud, just honest.

But we forgive her that.  She was super brave and that’s much more important at this point.

Here she it getting on the lift…

And both kids on separate lanes…

While the kids were living it up, the grownups all relaxed inside with Small.  The lodge is nice and cozy with a roaring fire and comfy chairs…. (the pictures are for sale over in that corner)

The bathrooms are big and clean & they also have a great variety of snacks & hot or cold drinks for sale (also reasonably priced snow gloves).

Overall, the lodge isn’t a bad place to hang out.  Just ask CLT Dad & Small.  They were in there for two hours plus.

CLT Dad went a LITTLE stir-crazy by the end….

But that just added to our enjoyment.   We made sure to get a family pic by the fire before heading down the mountain…

Awesome trip.  Not sure how we’re going to top it.  But our staycation isn’t over, so we’re going to have to figure something out.