Today is David’s birthday, and what a glorious day we had.
Awaiting his birthday breakfast.
Next weekend all three children will be heading off to winter camp with the church middle and high school youth groups. Normally they can count on plenty of snow with sledding and outdoor games to fill their happy hearts. This year, however, it’s been unseasonably warm, and the kids are starting to panic in the fear that there won’t be any snow at camp.
Cue – snow starved, sad, pathetic, worried faces.
I know, I know, obviously we do not live on the east coast. Sorry Boston, but here in Washington we have NO snow anywhere in sight, and the kids fear spring is rapidly approaching.
David decided he didn’t want a big birthday party this year. When he turned thirteen last year, we celebrated in style with an Olympic Theme. There were games, friends, pizza and an entire sundae bar.
How to make this year special without a party?
Snow! That seemed a pretty obvious answer. In the summer the answer is usually the beach or lake or pool or some combination. But, with camp looming SNOWLESS in sight, we definitely needed to do something.
Thankfully we live near an incredible mountain. “The Mountain” as folks call it around here.
If I would let him, Tim would pretty much take pictures of Mt Rainier ALL DAY!
The weather promised to be good. The Mt Rainier webcam promised some sort of snow. Even if it was just along the edges of the parking lot, I was determined to go. Daniel suggested everyone bring a friend on our mountain adventure. Smart idea! So James, Eli and Julia joined us. I brought Tim as my bff. 
I also let him drive and treat us all to food on the way home. I’m smart too.
Friends – check
Boots – check
Snow pants – check
Gloves, scarves, hats – check
Picnic lunch & sodas – check
Sleds (borrowed from friends) – check
And off we went. The drive was beautiful. It was sunny and warm without a hint of snow except for glimpses up on the mountain. Uh oh.
No jacket needed until we get to the mountain on this gorgeous Feb day.
On the way to the lodge – sunny and mild.
We walked the trail around Longmire – beautiful, but still no snow! Thankfully we “adventure” with the best group ever. And they know how to find fun in every aspect of the day.
The birthday crowd!
Climbing a tree
Upon reaching Paradise Lodge we discovered the sledding was closed (not enough snow), but, oh my, there was definitely plenty of snow! We bundled up in our assorted winter gear and set off to explore. The kids were soon way beyond us on the slope. Tim and I clambered, slid, climbed, and walked alongside the Lodge and up into the mountain snow enjoying the gorgeous day for ourselves.
Julia and Sarah
Run up that hill or slide down it – all fun!
At one point, we saw the birthday group – WAY up on the top of a snowy spot. We were down below, on a walking trail of some sort. The kids had climbed up from the other side.
Look closely – you can see them.
They had discovered a way to “sled” without sleds – basically going down on their backs with a “catcher” at the end of the hill. Thankful they weren’t careening wildly off the mountain, Tim and I climbed up to join them.
The kids are “thatta way.”
Or you could try sledding face down.
“This is the happiest I’ve ever been,” David exclaimed at one point.
My birthday boy!
That’s a pretty good thing to be able to say on your 14th birthday.
As always, I wish I had taken dozens (hundreds?) more pictures of our wonderful Birthday Celebration. But all that means, I’ve decided, is that we need to go back for another adventure soon!
Project 365 – Day 47
Kathy
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