Tag Archives: day2345

day 2345: ’tis the season for christmas tree huntin’ and zip line ridin’!



it’s that time of the year to make the trek to our local "cut your own" tree farm to procure the perfect christmas tree!

some might recall from previous years that our favorite local tree farm – snowy ridge in westby, wisconsin – also has a a giant tree house and zip line and a warming house with hot cocoa and cookies. so, really, what more could you ask for? and as an added bonus, thanks to a recent snow fall, the place was transformed into a winter wonderland.

after years of having a slim selection of mature eastern white pines ( our family favorite ), the farm has plenty available after planting a bunch a few years back. it’s almost doesn’t seem as fun now that we can just walk in and find the perfect tree without having to trek to the farthest reachest of the property.



i always wonder what sort of insurance rider they have to carry with a zip line on the property, since it seem a bit risky especially when everything is icy anbd slippery and the kids are encumbered with winter gear. hi. ho. all in the name of good wintery fun!



true to its name you can really get zipping on the zip line!



the zip line ends in this awesome tree house which i’d love to recreate in our backyard with a line running from our house.



in keeping with tradition, after felling the tree and riding a zip line, one must warm one’s bones in the toasty warming house while sipping hot chocolate and dreaming of christmas morning.

day 2345: six years of parenting pays off with the first snow of the season.



we got our first good snow fall of the season last night with a 4 or so inches covering the ground, which means, of course, that it’s time to get out the shovels and The Community Snow Blower to clear out the driveway and sidewalk and make paths to the chicken coop and sauna.

never one to be shy of The Elements, odin has been helping me shovel snow for years with great determination and gusto even if he hasn’t been able to move great amounts of snow. and last year he even helped me on occasion operate the snow blower, though it was a bit of an effort for his five year old muscles to lug it around for extended periods of time.

but now he’s almost six and a half years old and apparently all the training has paid off. this morning he was excitedly shoveling snow off the front walk and sidewalks before i even finished my first cup of coffee. and as if that wasn’t enough work, he told me he reeeeaaaaalllllyyy wanted to snow blow the entire driveway – all 100 feet of it.

and, sure enough, he happily did just that for. over. two. hours.

i hope he remembers his zeal for snow removal when he’s a teenager 🙂