The Minnesota Youth Ski League is one of the best bargains around, and so much fun for all of us. For $25 per kid for the season, they get to ski in groups according to ability and age, and each group has a coach or two to help them develop their Nordic skiing skills. Meanwhile, the adults can ski along or, as George and I do, ski on our own. It gets us all out in the brisk cold and beautiful snowy woods each Sunday for 8 weeks in January and February. St. Cloud has its own club and we ski at Riverside Park, just a mile from the house.
Of course, the kids have been spoiled by downhill skiing. We have to pretty much drag them to Nordic ski club each week, though they appear to be having fun when we're there. Except at the snack break today. They sat alone and I asked Rose why she didn't go talk to the girls her age. She said, "because, I'm not going to make friends at something I don't like." Unhh! Stab through the heart for Mom. 
Oh well, this is one thing George and I feel they need to learn here in Minnesota. Especially since I don't like to downhill ski and cross country is the only kind of skiing we'll ever do as a family. We tell them they'll appreciate us when they're older and can ski both ways very well. I said to Eli, "Some day you'll have a girlfriend who wants to cross country ski together and you'll be glad you can impress her with your skill." He actually didn't scoff at that idea too much and even looked as if he was considering it, my soon-to-be 11-year old boy. Scary! 
I did shoot some video of the kids skiing today, and I'll see if I can get that to work later. For now here's some photos of George, Eli, Rose and various ski club friends. 
Hope you're enjoying the weather where you are. Lisa
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