Saturday Night Fever!

OK Not really, but we had a blast anyway- even without Kevin Bacon or dancing!

Hubby wanted to get out of the house so we went rollerskating! This was the first time I have been skating in probably 15 years, and it's been well over 20 for him, and the kids have never gone. So I knew it was going to be a work out.

I did pretty good though! I went around the rink once by myself just to get the feel of the wheels under my feet, and wobbled once or twice. Then I went around with the kids a few times (mostly Sissy, as she was having the most trouble), then once by myself again. That second time around I was really feeling the rhythm of the skates, and it worked out pretty well! I had trouble stopping with the rubber stoppers, but those things were so worn down that I probably WOULD have fallen on my face had I relied on them. But, stopping gracefully wasn't always one of my stronger skills anyway.

Luckily the place was pretty empty, because all 3 boys were absolutely pwning the rink! Little TomTom was out there on his little skates just walking his heart off, and loving every minute of it! He'd walk with me about halfway around the rink, then he wanted his daddy. Twice he threw a FIT and tried to go backwards, or just straight across the rink to get to him. Nicky was also doing well on his own. Again, only really walking, but he was having a blast. And Bubby, Oh my word!! I've never seen him so independent and confident! He was trying SO hard to actually skate, and was, for the most part, actually rolling around the rink! I would be slowly making my way around with one of the other 3, and look up only to finally spot him all the way on the other side, just peddling that ground for all he was worth!

Poor Sissy, on the other hand, could barely make it 10 feet without falling on her rump. I felt really bad for her, but I know it's just part of the process of learning how to skate. I stayed with her for the majority of the hour we were out on the rink, and she only had one meltdown, which was pretty easily diffused. Fortunately it didn't escalate into the volcanic eruption of a meltdown she COULD have had, but I think when it did happen, she was frustrated at herself, and then sad that I had left her to go check on the boys.

I have to admit, I'm not the best teacher. I don't have as much patience as a true teacher, so more often than not, I tend to get frustrated right along with my student, as they're frustration grows about their own inability to understand. I was pretty proud of myself last night though. I only fussed at her one time, and that was when she started to fall, and instead of grabbing the wall or just falling, she grabbed a hold of Nicky, pulling him down with her, and hurting him in the process. Otherwise I did really good staying patient with her, and trying to keep her confidence up. I'm just not very good at teaching the process. I can see what she's doing wrong, and figure out how to fix it. But explaining what she needs to change is a whole other thing... one that I'm not super great at. So I tried a few times, and when it didn't work, I just let her figure it out the best she could, and just held her hand along the way.

So far this morning I'm sore as can be. From my neck down I'm stiff, and I'm slow to move. But I'm not completely immobile, which I'm grateful for.
Now I can't wait to go again!