First Skating Lesson

Saturday morning Ally went to gymnastics from 9-1015 (it was a make up class from when she was sick a few weeks ago) and then we drove across town to the skating rink for her very first skating lesson!!!

A flyer came home in her backpack from school for some very affordable skating lessons for 14 weeks. We would have to pay for rental of the skates or buy some, we thought. But when we got to the rink they had bins of skates for kids to try on and if you found a pair that fit they were yours! The lessons are sponsored by our town’s youth hockey program and it turns out they do this every year – just turn in your skates at the end of the year and pick out a new pair next year! Sweet!

We were told to wear snow pants and mittens and bring a bike helmet. Ally’s old helmet was too small so we went to Target the night before and she picked out this really cool cat helmet!

All dressed and ready for the lesson to begin. Ally told me she was a little nervous. I gave her a big hug and told her I was nervous for her too, but that I knew she was going to have a fun time.

When she got on the ice the teachers showed the kids how to stand up once they fell. The lesson started with learning how to get up. There were about 30 kids and 2 teachers. The instructors are clients of mine and they live right down the street from us, which is nice.

Ally fell a lot. And would try to get up. and try and try and try

She did manage to get up and make progress across the rink. She had a huge smile on her face the entire time. I was so proud of her.

The class lined up on one side of the rink and then skated across to the other side. Ally was pretty hesitant (slow) and at one point looked back and realized she was last. But she kept going and made it to the other side and back again. One of the coaches gave her some help on the way.

But she did it! As the class went one she managed to stay up more and more. One parent commented on what good form she had – Ally was not hunched over or knees bent, but stood up straight and tall.

Her look of happiness and excitement after class. She came off the ice and told me that she even managed to twirl “sort of” she said. I saw – she did a rather large circle which would pass as a spin or twirl.

In the car on the way home Ally exclaimed “I can’t wait to tell mama” and then said “I did not know I could skate!”

She had a blast and can’t wait to go again. We will miss class next week for Roxie’s Guat Girls Birthday party, but with 14 lessons its ok to miss a few.

I was so proud of her for doing this new activity.