If you’ve been reading for awhile, you know our annual New Year’s Day tradition was always snowshoeing at Trillium Lake on Mount Hood. We unfortunately skipped it last year because Logan was just too young to go and we didn’t have the right clothes for him. The last time we went was 2 years ago when I was pregnant! I’ve missed our tradition.
This year I was able to find some toddler snow pants and a snow jacket at a consignment shop for super cheap so we were prepared! I was not prepared for my snow pants to be slightly too tight (SIGH) and I was also not prepared for our discovery that Logan is suddenly too big for his hiking carrier. That sucks. 🙁 We strapped him in but I don’t think it was very comfortable for him, especially in bulky snow gear. So he was a bit fussy.
Bella, on the other hand, was super stoked! She loves snowshoeing!
It was 30 degrees up on the mountain and sunny. It was surprisingly warm. I didn’t really need as many layers as usual and I didn’t need my gloves. Logan DID need his gloves but he kept taking them off and then getting fussy (probably because his hands got cold). It was a battle to keep the gloves on. I need to find a pair that velcro on or something.
Lesson #1 of 2018: adjust your expectations with a toddler. In general. With everything. 😛
It was such a nice day out and there were hardly any people out! We did see a few people with new skis. It was pretty funny watching them go down the steep hill (and crash!). It was kinda like watching America’s Funniest Videos or something. Not that I should laugh because that would be me, too. I’ve never skied before. Someday I’d like to try it.
We knew it was was going to be a short snow shoe trip since it was the first time with Logan, but it ended up being a little bit shorter than we thought. He just refused to wear his mittens and was getting too cold so we took photos and turned around.
I am not sure how far we ended up going, maybe 2 miles round trip. We did 1 hour total. Got back to the car just as more people were arriving.
We got home in time for lunch and naps and an excellent New Year’s Day dinner (will post the recipe tomorrow)!
Happy New Year!
Vickie
Duct tape. Can hold on mittens, cover zippers so they can’t unzip, etc. I know someone who went thru a spell of duct taping the diapers so toddler could not take them off in bed.
Another option is mittens sewn to strap that connects both mittens and runs down sleeves. So you put the mittens on, the strap runs across their back and then you put their coat on. Non stretchy cord that is just long enough and prevents taking them off.
We have also had toddler mittens that went nearly to the elbow under a coat and toddler could not get them off.
Vickie
Actually the person who duct taped the diapers – the next step was to duct tape the diapers, put pj’s on backwards and duct tape the zipper. Poop. Wall. Every day.
Lisa Eirene
OH MY GOD. Awful!!!!
Lisa Eirene
Haha! Great idea! I might try that.
Ingunn
So beautiful! Heh, even though my oldest is over 3 now, I still need to remind myself to check my expectations for outings like these…oh kids, so wonderful yet so frustrating… ;^)
Lisa Eirene
Well and every day and experience is different. Sometimes we’d go for hikes and he’d do great. Then other times he wouldn’t want to do it all and hate the carrier, fuss, etc. You just can’t tell what mood the toddler is going to be in…sheesh.
We are supposed to go again in a few weeks. I really hope it goes better!
Alleigh (@ A Glass After Work)
While it sounds like it didn’t go quite as planned, at least you got out there for a little bit and have a better idea what to expect next time. From the pictures it looks beautiful and like a good time. Happy New Year!!
Lisa Eirene
Exactly! This was basically a practice run to see how it went.
It was a gorgeous day out, so it was just nice being up on the mountain.
Sue
Lisa –
Check out https://lbow.com/ We used to get these for our son when he was little. They go on the outside of the coat and at least to the elbow if not over it.
Great for when he gets older and plays outside too. No “snow-burn” on the wrists from snow sneaking in between the mittens and coat.
Lisa Eirene
Thank you for the tips! I will look.