1st Time Skating

We recently learned that there is a local skating rink that is open one morning a month for homeschool families--and they even have reduced prices for us. We tried it out last Friday. The kids didn't really know what to expect, but were super excited all week none the less. Our soccer friend families were going too, so there were built in friends. Entering the building was like stepping back in time. It was set up just like how I remember Skate City of my youth. The brown leather skates sure hadn't changed a bit. 12 or 13 years old, that was the last time I had been on skates, but the basics came back quick enough.


This was Jessica's first time on wheels. After one very rough circuit on the rink, I encouraged her to practice on the long straight strip of carpet on the side. The extra friction really helped. She fell lots of times, but always jumped back up with a smile. I thought we'd be seeing some new bruises at bath time in a day or two.



Makenna caught on faster. She has had heelies (spelling?) for almost a year and so her rolling balance was a lot better. She practiced with Jess on the side for a bit, then moved onto the rink with a hand on the edge, but after a few laps, she was making her way around with no help. Of course after half an hour she had made a new friend and would go back and forth between families. She loved it, but has plans to bring taller socks next time to better guard against blisters. Isaac quickly picked it up and tried to build speed. He thinks he got the most bruises, but I'm not sure that's bragging material. He tried playing limbo, but bending while balancing and rolling was a bit too much to expect after only 45 minutes. He was out on the rink the whole time (2 1/2 hours) with the exception of a few quick drinks.


This is Jess progressing to the inside wall with her friend Megan behind. She also got good at holding just one of my hands. She was the last one to take off her skates, begrudgingly. After all that exercise, the girls both fell asleep on the drive when we left.