Emily's Birthday outing- Ice Skating

Just skating with my dad.

Speed Demon- Jake

Jake had a HARD fall.

THESE are JAKE"S KNEES!!! (someone thought the photo was of his behind...I promise- it's his KNEES.

We did not have school today- in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day- although Emily thinks we had the day off in honor of her birthday- which is only 2 days away. We took advantage of the extra day off of school/work. Emily decided she would like to spend her day ice skating. We have been ice skating 2 other times in the past 10 years. Not very often... wasn't sure how it would go.
It was GREAT. We had a great time !

We rented skates, (we being Rowdy, Emily and Jake). I used the out that I couldn't skate if I was going to take photos..I got this GREAT new lens for my birthday- and I haven't had an opportunity to try it out!!! ...the truth is that I used to like to ice skate- I was never very good...but I could do it.

But now that I have reached the ripe old age of 40- I think more about things like-

"what if I fall and break a hip.... then how will the laundry get done?"

So I was the photographer for the day.

We got everyone laced up and out to the rink...I snapped off the first photo- only for my camera to display in BIG red letters... NO CARD.

I forgot the memory card in the computer at home.

Now what. I encouraged the family to get out on that ice and I would be back in 15 minutes.

After a quick drive to Walgreen's... with a new memory card in hand. Now we were in business.

The kids did great! I had prefaced this whole outing with a lecture about "not expecting to be great at this the first time out" and how "getting frustrated will never get you anywhere".

All that was for nothing. They skated like we are regulars at the rink. I knew that Rowdy was a good skater- (he played hockey years ago and was quite good)....

but I expected the kids to be on their bottoms more often than on their skates.

I was wrong.

Rowdy and Emily glided across the ice like they were out for an afternoon stroll. Jake was a rocket. He hit the ice - full speed ahead... and never slowed down.

Emily fell once- and it was when she was holding on to the rail.... but only once.

Jake took a couple of spills- usually to his knees....but that mostly happened because he is a speed demon...and when someone slower was in front of him...he had a hard time stopping.

All in all it was a great afternoon. When the 2 hour session was over.... everyone was exhausted and ready for lunch. No major injuries (Jake may need to ice the bruised knees), and the smiles and laughs we wonderful.

Good idea Emily. Glad you wanted to ice skate for your birthday...

looking forward to more birthday fun in 2 days.... (can't believe you will be a teenager!!!!!!)