JACK OF ALL TRADES

OK - even big boys get upset when they get a splinter.  Jack decided to try to pilfer a piece of wood from the Matterhorn Museum Zermatlantis today as a free souvenir.  

Unfortunately, it kind of stung hidden beneath the first layer of skin on his right hand.  When we got back to Chalet Ulysse, he had to "come clean", with the help of a bucket of soapy water. 

Jack has had quite the week already, seasoned traveler that he is.  Yesterday he raced off to ski school in big sister Sophia's boots (but kept his own skis).  Committed father Rob sacrificed a fairly good ski day with master guide Andres in order to secure new boots for both Sophia and Jack, and then track Jack down in ski school on another part of the mountain.  It was all fairly successful, but the adults didn't see Rob all day on the slopes.

This morning in the confusion created by the windy weather, Jack nearly missed his start time.  Rob and I raced him down to the school and Rob took him downstairs to gear him up.  I took a call from Andres on Rob's phone near the gondola, only to miss Rob and Jack coming back up from the storage room.  Because they were late, they raced off to the drop off spot.  I found out later that Rob got Jack on the bus - but not his boots!  So Rob jumped on the next bus with the boots, but no phone, and I was left upstairs dreading having to tell Kirstin and Suzy that I somehow ended up with Rob's phone and he was disconnected trying to connect Jack with a teacher who was thought to be somewhere Rob would never figure out on his phone!

Alas, it all worked out, and Rob and I even enjoyed a few coffees in the nearby Hotel Berghoff restaurant.  Turned some stress into total relaxation.

But back to Jack.  He got done with ski school today at 3 pm and told his Dad he had no food - only hot chocolate!  Language barrier?  Forgetful instructor?  Too much fun on the slopes?  Couldn't be that - Jack said he didn't even ski!  Well, with the weather that wasn't too surprising, but the no food thing was troubling.

Enter Kirstin.  Straight to the ski school to inquire about the day.  Staff was very nice and responsive, and immediately checked into how the day was spent.  Calls to instructors and dining hall staff led to the discovery that not only did JOAT (Jack of all trades) have one helping of pomes frites and chicken - he actually had two!  and lots of ketchup!  "He was so hungry!"  When confronted with this new information while sharing pizza and a banana float sundae with his Dad at the nearest Zermatt restaurant (Rob raced him there immediately fearing hunger pangs) - JOAT said "oh yeah".  Pretty good stuff.

JOAT (Jack Of All Trades) with his pizza and the toy he was rewarded with for all of his pain and suffering.