Sledding on the Golf Course - Trish Berg

This week, the Word Quilters (authors of SOCF) are going to share a fun activity from their childhood. What fun to think back on those years when Christmas was everything December was about.

My Grandma Knoedler lived about an hour away from where I grew up, and we got to see her a few times a month. We loved going to her house all the time, but in the wintertime, it was awesome!

Grandma Knoedler lived on the very edge of a golf course, and in her back yard was a steep hill leading to the course. She had a stockpile of sleds and saucers of all kinds, and baskets of hats, gloves and scarves.

We loved going sledding at Grandma's house. We would gather the mismatched hats and gloves, and head out to the hill in her back yard for starters. She would sometimes join us, and that was a BLAST. There were 2 trees at the bottom of her hill, so we had to become quite good at steering these sleds to avoid the collision. Maybe that's where I first learned to drive, I don't know. But we could all steer those sleds like NASCAR drivers around the bends.

Once we were warmed up, we would walk the entire golf course and look for hills that were even steeper. It was like walking in the wilderness, all white snow covering tons of hills and valleys. We felt like explorers.

When we were cold and tired, we would head back to Grandma's house for hot cocoa and popcorn. She always made hot cocoa with milk, not water, and it tasted sooooo good.

We would warm up a bit, and then head out again.

Boy, I wish I had some of that energy and stamina back these days.

Kids love sledding. If you live in a part of the country where you get snow near Christmas time, I encourage you to find a local golf course, get permission (if needed) and go sledding with your kiddos.

Your kids want to spend time with you. They want you to sit in the saucer and speed down the hill right beside them. Those will be the memories they will keep for a lifetime.

Christmas is not about spending money. It's not about finding the perfect gift, game or toy. There is nothing wrong with gift giving, but don't forget that the best things about Christmas sometimes come wrapped up in nothing but your time.

Spend time with your kids. Have fun with them. Get creative, and put the checkbook away.

Cash in on your children's future by spending time with them today.

This winter...this Christmas.....Go sledding with your children.

(And keep the hot cocoa handy as well...)