Took Kate Ice Skating

Today Rachel and I took Kate ice skating for the first time. For a few years, Rachel was really into ice skating. I logged a lot of hours reading on the bleachers while she skated. But, we have hardly been to the rink the last two years and Kate's never been on skates. She was so excited to go.

We all got dressed in our sweaters and skates and off onto the ice we went. I took Kate around the rink a total of three times. We had to stop frequently, but she did really well. She needed to hold on to me or Rachel the whole time. But, she had fun.

One reason she wasn't really getting the hang of skating is that every time she started to slip (which was pretty often) she would run her legs all wild - cartoon style. It was cute, but took a toll on poor mom - who was holding her up the whole time. We only fell once.

The other reason she wasn't making much progress was that she kept talking to everyone skating by. She was introducing herself, telling people her address, asking questions. She just wasn't really focused on skating - too many new people to talk to. She wanted to talk to me too. She wanted to pretend we were on an adventure at a castle. Later, that we were explorers. I kept having to remind her to focus on skating.

After skating and a vending machine snack we sat on the bleachers watching the skaters. Some of Rachel's friends where there. Kate saw one of hers from school. We saw a favorite teacher's sister-in-law. Talked to another friend. I love living in a small town.

As we started down the bleachers to leave, they brought out the Zamboni to clean. Kate's eyes lit up. She grabbed my arm and pointed - speechless. We hurried down to stare, her nose pressed against the safety glass, at the Zamboni as it went round and round. Kate asked about 400 questions about how it worked and what it was doing. I answered.

Then she quieted down. Those of you who know her know this part - she's thinking hard. She's concentrating on all the information she's taken in. I waited knowing a really good comment was coming. I was rewarded.

Kate, still staring at the Zamboni, said, "That guy is working really hard. Does he get to have a snack?" I answered, "Yes. The Zamboni driver always has a snack after he's done."

We watched until he finished the whole rink. As he went by us for his final pass, he turned and waved to Kate. She swooned.