For the past couple of winters, Lydia has been asking to “do what normal people do” and learn to ski or snowboard. Neither Olof nor I being particularly normal in that way, we finally got around to signing her up to take snowboard lessons at the local ski hill. She starts next Wednesday, and is looking forward to it, I think. It’s so hard to tell with these über-cool teenagers and their affected jaded-ness.

Anyway, Olof and I went to town this afternoon to procure all the various equipment she’ll need and left the sporting goods store with our family coffers much depleted. She’s fully outfitted now, though, with a new board and bindings, boots, helmet, goggles, and a long, long bag to carry the whole kit and kaboodle around in. All that’s left to do now is hope that her enthusiasm doesn’t wane. At least we’ve got three other kids coming up behind her, so it won’t be a total loss if this is just a passing fancy. Still, I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Everyone needs a hobby.