Learn to Skate - Not signing any contracts anytime soon -

(I knew I was behind...but I had no idea I was THIS!!! behind!)
Because I blog it all so that I can blurb book it later, it doesn't really matter when I do it, just as long as I get er done...so, hang with me here would ya?

Anyhoo - We wrapped up our Learn to Skate session awhile back...I wish I had pictures and videos from the first night.  No actual skating going on, just a lot of sitting on the ice, trying to figure out how to even stand up, much less move anywhere.
It seemed silly to us that they give the kids a fresh sheet of clean ice before the beginners go on, but, whatever -
Nine weeks later and we came out unscathed - large part due to the bike helmets. Only once, were they imperative, but watching D wipe out with his head banging on the ice as he landed on his back proved that it was, indeed worth putting on the bike helmets week after week.

They were ecstatic to have passed! (or, was it ecstatic to be done with lessons? HA!)

Certificate of Achievement - and Tootsie Pops to Boot!

D makes friends EVERYWHERE he goes...No joke, but this little guy Niko was such a sweetie. They made fast friends at lessons and spent much of their time hanging out yapping like a couple of little old ladies.  By the end of the session though, they could race around the arena pretty well - considering.

I don't think we are going to be signing any NHL contracts anytime soon - but, you lose 100% of the shots you don't take right? It's our job to expose them to as many opportunities as we can. Some will stick, some won't ~ but we have to try.

Great job you guys. You didn't give up, even when it seemed like it would be easiest to do so. Week after week you went back, no matter how much work it was. Your hard work paid off, and just you wait. Life is going to be like that time and time again for you...but these lessons you are applying now, keep up the hard work, never give up, if at first you don't succeed...
These are all going to be useful as you grow older.

We love you both so very very much.

Learn to Skate - Making the News

Even though we've been skating before, we decided to officially sign up for lessons this season - I figure as much as they have fun with me at the outdoor or local public skating (that isn't cheap!) Perhaps they would pick things up a little quicker with a different teacher other than Mom...

As per usual - we found a better option for lessons in the neighboring suburb (more convenient schedule & less expensive)...and the kids are having a blast...

This Monday night was the halfway point...4 lessons down, 4 to go...

They are getting it...and having fun while they do...

We've finally got a rhythm down...getting to the arena on time (but not too early), getting on the snowpants, skates, helmet...making sure everyone is fed because we don't get home until after bedtime...

You feel good about things...they are clicking along...

And then, you open the news to this...

As reported in our local news this week:

Zamboni driver in Apple Valley accused of being drunk while resurfacing ice

Apple Valley police arrested a 34-year-old man Monday night for driving while intoxicated. His vehicle of choice? A Zamboni.

Officers were called to the Hayes ice arena shortly after 8 p.m. after people there noticed that a part-time employee who was grooming the ice with a Zamboni was driving erratically. When police arrived, the man was struggling to maneuver the ice-grooming machine off the ice. The man was unsteady on his feet and smelled of alcohol, according to a news release.


He failed field sobriety tests and was arrested and taken to police headquarters for a blood-alcohol test. Test results have been sent to the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for analysis, the news release said.


The man, who has not yet been charged, was convicted of drunken driving once in 2002 and twice in 1999, according to state records.
called 911 as the usually 10-minute ice resurfacing job took upwards of a half-hour.


The 34-year-old Zamboni driver failed a field sobriety test. A blood alcohol test taken at the police station was sent to the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for analysis.

I'm not exactly sure how all of this went down under our noses without us seeing it...as the kiddos have ice time until 8:15...but YIKES!
This is something you don't see every day!

And thank God no one was hurt...Can you imagine a Learn to Skater being run down by the Zamboni?
Aye Aye Aye...
What is this world coming to?

Embracing Winter...

While not always easy...
We've been doing all that we can do to embrace winter...

We love visiting the park not too far from our house...

But things do not always go the way we envision...

But when you fall...

You must get up again and again...

and not let things keep you down...

No matter how vast the world may seem to you....

Eventually, one way or another...you can claim your spot at the top...

Even if it isn't the way you thought it might be...