Winter is most certainly on its way! Here in eastern Colorado we’re now experiencing days where the high temperature doesn’t exceed 35F, and the lows are dipping into the teens. Colorado Springs is well known for its very mercurial weather, it could be 70F one day, 20F the next. Dave and I are working with the boys to prepare themselves for the wild weather ride we’re going to experience this winter.

Coming from Florida, we’ve had to make quite the investment in warm clothing for the boys. Dave and I have enough nice toasty sweaters and fleece socks, but the kids had outgrown everything they had in Nebraska 2008-2010. We got them sweaters, hoodies, snow pants, suede clogs and even some snow boots. I was mixed about getting them full-fledged snow boots, but after the first significant snowfall in mid-October, the boys demonstrated they really needed them.

I tend to buy really big – Timmy, even though he’s only 8 years old, now has size 12 snow pants and a size 12-14 parka.

I bought some nice gloves for the boys from REI. That was a mistake: Timmy lost one of the gloves the first day he wore them to school back in early October. Back to the $1 Walmart gloves!

It’s been a challenge getting the boys to understand that they need to dress warmly for school. Timmy resists zipping his coat, Jacob resists wearing a hat on his head. Gee, I wonder where they get that from (says the girl who HATED zipping her coat and wearing her hats)? I’ll have the kids put on their coats and shoes, and Timmy’s wanting to head out into 25F temperatures with just a hoodie.

So I will announce, “Timmy, it’s 25 degrees outside!”

But I don’t think he fully understands. Am I a bad Mom to think that maybe he just needs to experience some serious cold without a coat for him to understand? I can’t bring myself to do that — I make him put on his coat, gloves, and hat.

Dave and I are really looking forward to skiing this season! I will need new boots, Dave might need some new bindings, but otherwise we feel our Korea skis will be fine for us. The boys will be renting skis for the season through the Air Force Academy’s Outdoor Recreation Center. We’ll see about snowboarding — Timmy wants to learn, and I’ve offered to take lessons with him.

Jacob qualified for a couple of outstanding skiing promotions that are expressly for Colorado 5th and 6th graders. If you live in Colorado and you have a 5th or 6th grader, I encourage you to check it out. You will need a copy of the 5th/6th grader’s report card, or at least proof of age. Even if you go skiing just once or twice this season, getting the free passes will save quite a bit of money.

• Colorado Ski Country USA Passport
• Epic Resorts School of Shred Ski Pass

Do you plan to ski this winter? Where will you be heading this season?