First Skating lesson!

Today was Sweet-Pea's very first figure skating lesson. Did it start off well? Nope. Did it end well? YES! If it weren't for such a wonderful coach, Sweet-Pea would have given up before she even started.

Sweet-Pea was thrilled to get her skates. She was excited to go skating, but once she had those skates on in the building and walked over to the entrance of the rink, fear took over. She was PARANOID to say the least! She cried for a good 5 minutes. I had my skates on (yeah, a true sight to behold!) and was trying to get her and Lionel on the ice, but neither wanted to try it. Sweet-Pea managed to get onto the ice, but not without holding on to the side wall for dear life! Lionel attempted it but got only one foot on the ice before saying "forget it". I've never seen either of my kids so afraid of anything!!! At that point I knew I wouldn't get anywhere by pushing them, so we decided to sit and wait on the side for the coach to begin Sweet-Pea's lesson.

Here they are waiting on the outside of the rink.


The time finally came and Sweet-Pea had to begin her lesson. I was nervous by now because I thought she wouldn't go on the ice at all. Suddenly, dollar signs danced through my mind thinking this was all a waste...waste of money for skates, money for lessons, money for rink time etc. etc. all out the window! Fortunately, Sweet-Pea's coach is a total miracle worker! She not only got Sweet-Pea on the ice, she got her to go around the entire rink!! I was SO proud of her!!! (If I didn't have my own skates on I'd have danced for joy!)

She taught her how to walk on the ice, how to glide and how to do the swizzle (where your feet go out and in at the same time). I was TOTALLY surprised at how quickly Sweet-Pea picked up on things and learned to relax and have fun. She was still nervous and held onto the sides a bit, but she had total trust in her coach and she listened to what she had to say. At one point she was learning to dip in place on the ice. She not only dipped down, she added a little hip wiggle movement in with it. Her coach said she could tell Sweet-Pea was a dancer. Too funny!!

Here is Sweet-Pea and her coach. Next week I'll get better photos. It was hard to skate and take pictures...next week I won't skate, I'll just take photos and wear a proud smile.



Here are the first US Figure Skating skills patches she got for starting her lessons. How exciting!


When her lesson was over, Sweet-Pea's coach felt so bad for Lionel, so she spent a good 10 minutes teaching him how to get over his fear! She managed to get him on the ice and taught him to walk a bit. He still was worried, but at least he got out there. When all was said and done, I was so glad he didn't leave feeling like he couldn't do it. Maybe he will build up more courage for the next time, and he'll try it again.



I always encourage my children to try their hardest, to put 100% into everything they do. Today they did just that, and I'm so very proud of them both.

Now...back to school!