Wheels of Glory

Jimmy = Isaac Chazz = Miles

The boys don't quite fit the titles above, but we're hopeful they'll eventually become skating GREATS like Jimmy and Chazz. Both Miles and Isaac got their first taste of roller skating yesterday. Our weekend was full of excitement. Our neighbor Mia has a birthday just days before Isaac and celebrated with a party at The Skate Box. Karson has been skating numerous times, but the boys have never been. Walking into The Skate Box brings back floods of memories for me--the chewing gum mountain, the cubby holes which housed loads of skates, the super slick restroom floor, sock races, the Hokey Pokey, blisters, and the list goes on.

Skating and photo taking requires much more skill than you think. I'm thankful Karson has gone "pro" with her skating and didn't require much attention on the rink. The last time she went roller skating (which wasn't long ago) she got a terrible blister on her toe. We came prepared this time around with TWO pairs of socks.

Is she not the most beautiful child?

All I can say about Isaac is that he was determined to master the art of skating on Saturday. He went through THREE skate changes in the process. He started out on bright orange skates which cannot be adjusted. He was basically pulling my shoulder out of socket trying to boomerang around the rink. If he wasn't on the floor, he was completely out of control. I told him we needed to find some different skates--preferably ones that can be fine-tuned (aka, tightened wheels). The tan skates (above pics) offer that--more controlled skating to get a feel for it. He liked those for a while but towards the end of our session was READY to trade them back in for the orange, lightening speed skates.

Uh, yep, that's him LAID out in the middle of the rink which is where he remained most of the time in in the orange skates.

Here's another shot of him maintaining his balance. By the end of the session, he really was getting the hang of it. I was proud of his perseverance. I've never seen him try SO HARD at something. I guess he's growing up in that area. He's ready to go skating again although his legs look like he's been badly beaten. I told him the next time we go he needs to wear Karson's volleyball knee pads. He said, yeah and a HELMET. Look out Skate Box.

Sweet Miles enjoyed every minute skating. He loved it. I could hardly drag him off the rink (except for drink breaks). Granted, it took almost ten minutes to make a lap around, it was still fun. I have a feeling we'll be returning to The Skate Box sooner rather than later.