Blessed and Cursed

Yes, I am both.

Blessed that, upon taking my family to learn to ski/snowboard yesterday, they all had an absolute blast.  My two sons decided to learn to snowboard because, well, they're boys.  That's what boys do.  You strap a plank to your feet, and run it off anything that looks like something you shouldn't.  It's gotten so bad that now all the resorts have terrain parks with everything from major jumps to grind rails to actual flights of stairs built into the trail.  I still remember when snowboarding was first invented, and how much of a bane those kids were to the rest of us 'traditionalists'.  I should have seen it coming...but my God talk about a total new generation of atheletics that I've watched evolve in front of my eyes.  My wife and daughter opted for the skis, and did remarkably well for their first time.  They are both capable waterskiers, and rollerbladers, so I think that helped contribute to their success.  By the end of the day, they were all getting up on the beginner chair lift and making their way down a simple run without too much difficulty.

Cursed because...now I have to fund this all.  First, I bet I'll be looking at a season pass for everyone next year.  The 'mountain' we went to yesterday is an hour and fifteen, door to door, and perfect for someone new to the sport.  This year, a family season pass was $1595.  Gotta then add in equipment (even used, an easy $500 for 4).  You can imagine the angina I'm experiencing.

But, at the end of the day, could be something the kids remember for a lifetime, and do when they have a family.  Oh the pains of parenthood.