Today we had one of our best mornings ever!
I have wanted to try the Oak’s Park Skate & Play all winter. I was a bit skeptical and scared about trying to get the little guy on rollerskates, with baby girl in tow, on my own. Yesterday, I decided that today would be the day and sent out an e-mail to the Mommies of Friday Playgroup to let them know we would be going (this insured that there would be no backing out on my part if others are expecting us to be there). So, I got the kids ready to go, loaded them up in the hybrid, stopped to get some mommy fuel at Starbucks and we were on our way!
Nobody was able to meet us, but we were going on our adventure anyway! I put the kids (just in case we had to make a couple of laps around the rink without skates to warm the little guy up to the idea), the camera, the diaper bag, and the Ergo Carrier in the double BOB and we walked into the rink. The little guy was not as enthusiastic once we got into the rink, but we got him some skates and scoped it all out. Once he saw a couple of other preschoolers getting the skates on he warmed up to the idea.
He became interested in the “cubbies” and wanted to put his jacket in one, so I humored him…ends up we needed the “cubby” anyway!
We practiced walking in the skates on the soft carpet, and then we took the BOB out onto the rink and I held the little guys hand as he skated. I explained, as we saw other little kids fall, that it was OK to fall and all he had to do was get right back up and try again. I decided that I should ditch the stroller and put baby girl in the carrier and walk with the little guy as he skated.
This idea ended up being a winner! We found a couple of balls that were painted like farm animals and this encouraged him to skate around the rink to find more!
The little guy caught on like a champ!
After eating the snack that was provided in the rink snack bar, he was fueled up and ready to take a few more laps around the rink.
Then Chipper, the Oaks Park mascot (who is a Squirrel), made an appearance and the little guy wanted to say hello! A couple more laps around the rink and mommy was exhausted and ready to head home! I finally convinced (with help from the loudspeaker that informed us that we had to get off the rink) the little guy it was time to go home.
I am so proud of him trying something new and doing really well at it! We’re already planning to go again next Tuesday!
stephany taddeo 
Sounds like fun, I wish I could have joined you. It’s interesting how he acts fairly fearless about certain things, then is reserved about others. He gets a snack, and can look for balls…are you sure they didn’t create this just for him? Talk about knowing what motivates him…and probably just about every other 2.5 year old! Thanks for making the effort to get our kids out of the house and exposed to a variety of activities, I know it would be a lot easier to sit at home and put him in front of the tv!
That looks like a lot of fun!! I’m sure Lorelai had fun in the carrier too. Great job Reece 🙂
xoxo
Aunt Tracy
I was just looking at skates for Sasha at Target and they were all way too big but maybe she’ll have a growth-spurt-of-the-feet and be able to fit into them this summer. You are so motivated to take both of your little gerbils out like that, well done!
Bets
OMG!!! How fun! I’ll have to see if there is anything like that out here. Great job, Reece!!!! (And Steph, too!)
So cute! Went from trepidation to elation. Love the pics. Good job Mom!
Thanks, Peggy. We had a great time! I hope you are doing well!
Stephany
We just got back from two days of purging and sorting out Betty’s stuff in Albany. Photos seem to take on greater and greater import with years. We’ve taken many back to be scanned and divided amoung family. Great job of recording the skating adventure. It will only increase in value as the years go on.
Wow! How brave of you to try that with the two little ones… glad it was fun… the little guy looks like he is having a great time and I’m sure baby girl enjoyed the lights and the noise…. ILY KathyMomNana
That looks like so much fun! I can’t wait to join you next summer when I’m not as big as a house!!