Our daughter is currently 13, almost 14, and we decided about a year ago that we might just try to get her out to Vancouver to experience just a bit of the winter Olympics. She has an aunt, my sister, who is VERY into ice skating. Lori, my sister, had been getting my daughter somewhat interested as well.

So, about a year ago, I began to look into the possibility of sending the two of them out to Vancouver to take in one of the skating events. It turned out to be a fairly significant challenge to make it all come together, but very well worth it! I first had to make sure that the two of them were actually interested in the idea at all. They most definitely were. Then, I just had to wait for the tickets to go on sale. I think it was in about June of 2009. This part was tricky, because we really could not afford to send them to more than one event, and for me to pick their event was tough. I tried to purchase tickets for one event, but by the time I got a hold of Lori to confirm she would be interested in that event, it was sold out. After that, I just picked one, and made the purchase. It was an ice dancing event, and they were getting the absolute cheapest tickets available, which still came to about $200 each.

Then, it was on to transportation. Both of them are timid fliers, but 1500 miles or so would simply take too long by car or train. Our daughter would already be missing several days of school as it was. So, I booked flights. Then, we worked out transportation from Seattle up to Vancouver with a relative who lives fairly close by out there.

So, when the Olympics finally arrived, we sent the two of them off to experience the spectacle of the 21st Winter Olypmiad! They were both a bit nervous, but everything went just as smoothly as could be. They had a fantastic time, and really got to experience a bit of the world for a short time. I had bought several pins for them to try to trade with people out there, which they did. They ran into a group of people from China, and got a very nice pin from them.

They also met people from Israel, the Netherlands, Canada (of course), and more! It really was a once in a lifetime opportunity to get them there, and actually be able to say they have gone to the Olympics! I do believe that this was just about the perfect age to send a child to something as significant as this, as long as he or she can travel with at least one very trusted person. It was a lot of work, and rather expensive, but I do not regret it one bit…and neither does my daughter!

In figure skating, 16 year-old American Olympian, Mirai Nagasu skated in her very first Olympics. Despite going last in the long program, right before the medal ceremony, she placed fourth. On an opposing team, Canada’s Joannie Rochette took to the ice to skate just days after her mother passed away. Her bravery and courage touched the hearts of people around the world, and her focus paid off. Joannie ended up placing third and winning a bronze medal, which she dedicated to her late mother. Joannie did interviews and spoke out, saying, “My mother wouldn’t have wanted me to give up.”

In Alpine skiing, American Lindsey Vonn headed into the competition as a clear favorite to win. However, after a skiing accident broke her leg, she was put on bed rest for two weeks. Many media outlets speculated that she would not recover in time to compete in the Olympics. Unafraid, Lindsey skipped the Opening Ceremonies to rest and recover in order to make it in time to her first event – in which she won gold.

American snowboarder, Shaun White, began skateboarding at the young age of six. He greatly admired skateboarder, Tony Hawk, who became his close friend and mentor. At a young age, Shaun began entering snowboarding competitions, trying to become the best in the world. However, it wasn’t until he shifted his attention to snowboarding that he gained international acclaim. Now, Shaun is one of the wealthiest athletes in the United States, as well as one of the youngest! After four years of hard work and practicing, Shaun won yet another Olympic gold at the Vancouver Winter games.

Perhaps the most inspiring story of all was that of American speed skater, Apolo Anton Ohno. Apolo grew up as an only child, brought up by his father and ignored by the mother he had never known. In order to practice speed skating as a young boy, his father had to drive from Washington into Vancouver, which provided young Apolo with the ice facilities that he needed to practice. Apolo learned how to speed skate in Vancouver, and Vancouver was where he competed in what is speculated to be his last Olympics. In many of his races, Apolo ended up at the back of the pack right off the starting line. However, he always seemed to focus and work his way to the front of the crowd to end up placing third, second, or first – all of which ended in him becoming the most decorated Winter Olympian in American history. All together, Apolo has 8 Olympic Winter medals. To think this was from a boy who didn’t even have an appropriate skating rink in his home state!

Thus, children can learn a lot about perseverance, hard work, and dedication by watching the Olympians of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Told in a rhythm reminiscent of The Twelve Days of Christmas, a snowman’s tale begins, On the first day of winter my best friend gave to me…a red cap with a gold snap. The benefactor continues to deck out the snowman with two bright blue mittens for his stick hands; five birdseed pockets; nine big black buttons for his eyes, nose, and front; and, finally, 10 salty peanuts for his wintry toes.

As in the holiday song, each time a new item is introduced, the story counts back to the first gift. Fleming captures the tranquility and light of snowy days with her unique artistic style. Her paper-pulp and stencil illustrations depict a winter wonderland in which vibrant striped scarves, blue mittens, and red hats provide the color in a white, uncluttered landscape. (more…)

You’ll find more winter hats, gloves, scarves and ear muffs at our store.

Girl Skating
Boy Skating
Dad And Son Sledding
Bear Skating
Country Snowman
Snowman Family
Winter Moose

First Snow
by Mary Louise Allen

Snow makes whiteness where it falls
The bushes look like popcorn balls
And places where I always play
Look like somewhere else today

Beautiful feathery flakes of snow
Over the woodland and field they go
Making a blanket so warm and deep
Over the flowers that lie asleep

Winter Arrival
by Marilyn Lott

It was a typical winter day
As I went for a little drive
I wanted to celebrate
For winter had arrived

I bundled up and took
My morning country trip
But as I got out of my car
I was careful I didn’t slip

For the fields were white
The road was slick with ice
But everything was lacy
It looked so fresh and nice

My world was transformed
To a winter wonderland
The ugly trees now lovely
Nature made its annual stand

I hope you see the beauty too
‘Course you’ll think about survival
When you have a white out scene
During nature’s winter arrival!

Here is the official site for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, which will be held from February 12-28, 2010.

Get into the spirit early by submitting a photo for their Countdown to the Winter Games. Your photo must be taken in Canada, at an outdoors or sports-focused setting and have one or more persons in the foreground.

They also created a portal called Edu, which is an interactive e-magazine which will enable you and your family to learn more about the 2010 winter games, the Olympic and Paralympics, and programs in sport, culture and sustainability.

Here’s a list of the sports you’ll see at the Winter Olympic Games:

Alpine Skiing
Biathlon
Bobsleigh
Cross-Country Skiing
Curling
Figure Skating
Freestyle Skiing
Ice Hockey
Ice Sledge Hockey
Luge
Nordic Combined
Short Track Speed Skating
Skeleton
Ski Jumping
Snowboard
Speed Skating
Wheelchair Curling

Grab some medium-large sized containers and pack them with snow. Use the larger ones for the foundation, getting smaller as you go up. Turn then upside down side by side to start your first row. You can use loose snow to fill in the gaps.  When you’re done with the bottom, first row, start another one on top of it and keep building up until you can safely crouch down behind it and not be seen by the “other side”. Have fun!

Use a standard 52-card pack.
Rank of Cards: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.
The deck is divided evenly, with each player receiving 26 cards, dealt one at a time, face down.
Both players turns up a card at the same time and the player with the higher card takes both cards.
They put them, face down, on the bottom of his stack.
If the cards are the same rank, it is War.
Both players place one card face down and one card face up. The player with the higher cards takes both piles (six cards). If the turned-up cards are again the same rank, each player places another card face down and turns another card face up. The player with the higher card takes all 10 cards, and so on.
The game ends when one player has won all the cards.

Have fun!

Choose a area where the snow has not been walked on.
Carefully lie down on your back with your arms and legs outstretched.
Make an imprint with all parts of your body, especially your head.
Move your arms and legs back and forth across the snow, keeping them straight.
Carefully get up…maybe someone can help you so you don’t mess it up.