Two years in the planning, twenty-two people in one chalet and we are going skiing for Christmas!
We had a conversation around the kitchen table when we collectively defied the lockdown rules at Christmas 2020, ‘Wouldn’t it be fabulous to have a snowy Christmas?’ There was a chalet called Rikiki nestled at the bottom of the nursery slope at Courchevel and a rainbow on the day we were discussing whether it would be a good idea, so we booked it, even Mama is coming with her two new hips and new knee!
We are going to ski, I am very proficient at the preemptive fall, I don’t like going fast, going downhill or heights and still came home in a wheelchair last time! Child one has never done it, Thing two snowboards like a stuntman, Lucky and Cal point their skis down the mountain and hurtle as fast as possible. My baby brother is one of those ski obsessed people who go to the gym every day in preparation, Beautiful Sophia is brilliant and Apple Spen skis like a pro. The Italian however, is I fear, going to show everyone up, having skied before she could walk.
We have five children with us, the youngest 4 months and the eldest 6 years, stockings and presents for the fireplace (on not in), matching tops with our names on. Secret Santa presents at the ready. Everybody knows where they need to be and at what time, skis, boots and helmets ordered, ski lessons booked. Suitcases are being packed as I type and I cannot wait. Covid wasn’t kind to our family for the last two christmases so this year we are determined that it will be brilliant.
It’s like herding butterflies; trying to organise this family, but we have had plenty of time to do it and if we can all get to the airport on time with the correct weight of luggage and the right name on the t-shirt we should be allowed on the plane.
France here we come! (Sorry you lost the World Cup)