January 11, 2011

There's A First Time for Everything...

Sometimes it feels like we've done too much too soon around here. Tyler and I were just discussing the other day how we were feeling a bit burned out on our options of family entertainment. It seems like we've been everywhere a million times before. What we decided is that's just really not true. We've done all the obvious a million times before. But, there is still plenty to do around here- it just takes a little brain exercise to get the ideas flowing.

One thing Sassy has been practically begging to do is to go ice skating. I took ice skating lessons as a little girl, but haven't been on skates since Tyler and I first started dating (i.e. a long ass time ago)... Tyler hadn't been in as long, but he played hockey as a child, and he can skate circles around all of us, so no concern there.

On Sunday, KPTS sponsored a free skate for children with the donation of a new book, so we decided it was time to go and make Sassy's little heart content. After some debate, we decided to go during Tink's nap time and make this a special Sassy-only activity. No worries- we will be doing the same with Tink in the near future. I also decided set my skating dreams aside (insert sarcasm) and enjoy stable footing so I could take pictures of Sassy's first skating experience without fearing for my camera's life.

When we arrived, Sassy experienced a moment of disappointment when she realized the skating would be indoors (This isn't Rockefeller Center, sweetie...) Luckily, the moment was fleeting, and she promptly took to enjoying the skate rental and skate application process! Then, it was off to the ice!



We had a talk with Sassy prior to skating, and we explained to her that learning to ice skate often involved some falling. She was prepared for that. What none of us were prepared for was the violence with which she would take her first tumble. She fell backwards and smacked her head on the ice pretty good, making me wish that I had even considered helmet use during this activity. Surely they have to make ice skating helmets, no? Anyway, she was ready to give it another go after a brief console session. Poor baby!



Sassy was definitely a brave girl, and she went back out on the ice. Tyler worked with her to feel more comfortable on the skates. They practiced and practiced and practiced! I spent my time with a cold nose up on the bleachers taking it all in!



The group took a break to resurface the ice, and we signed Sassy up for a free ice skating clinic on the other rink. She was in the young child group, and Ty was able to stay with her. They practiced falling safely and getting up, and she was finally willing and able to tolerate a bit of distance between her and Daddy!



Before long, she was making small stride-lets all on her very own!



It never ceases to amaze me how proud I feel each and every time she accomplishes something new, no matter how trivial! Such is the life of a Mom, I guess...

I ♥ my little skater bear...



Sassy became more and more comfortable on the ice as the day progressed, and she really had a great time! I'm sure we'll be ice skating again in the future. Maybe Mom will have to strap on those skates next time and show everyone what she's made of!



While there were skaters in attendance that were definitely Tink's age or younger, I maintain that it was a good idea to go solo with Sassy this time. Tyler would not have been able to handle both girls on the ice, and I fear that I would be the one requiring the most help of all had I joined in. Not to mention that we had some fabulous one-on-one time with a certain little Missy. It's a goal of ours this year to do more one-on-one time activities with the girls, individually and like we did today. We're off to a great start!

2 sweet tweets:

Alyssa said...

That looks like so much fun! I've never even thought about that but Sassy looked like she had an awesome time. I don't think I've ice skated since middle school...

Unknown said...

we thought about going to that; was it really busy?