The reasons I had for not going were exactly the reasons that made the exercusion very hard. It can be summed up in 4 words. I AM ONE WOMAN.
It is simply impossible for me have a 7-month old and help 2 kids who have never even put on skates. But all of Vanessa's friends were going to be there and she really wanted to go. So here is the story:
We get to the rink and it's not overly crowded. Still we had to wait in line to get in. Once inside the music is much louder than I remember. So we walk all the way to the back where the skate rental is. The girls get their skates, we walk to a carpet covered spool (apparently some things never change....) and they put the skates on. At this point I realize that Adrienne has a stinky diaper. The bathrooms are at the opposite side of the building. Of course. The lockers required 50 cents and I had no change. Of course. So we all make our way across the building to the bathroom so that I can change Adrienne. It seemed like it took 1/2 an hour! After the diaper is changed, I prop Vanessa and Harley up on the wall and I go over to the concession counter to get change for a dollar. We make our way back to the lockers and get everything put away.
Now, Vanessa has very high expectations for herself. She thought once the training wheels were off her bike she could just take off with no problem. She thought the same about roller skating. She should be able to skate like the big kids. It's very frustrating for her and she gets upset easily. I tried to explain that it doesn't happen like that, it takes practice. You can't put on skates for the very first time and expect to skate like a pro. I doubt she even heard me. Though I was really hoping one of the girls were a natural at it...
I put Adrienne in the baby carrier on my chest and we finally make it out onto the rink. The slick rink. Vanessa doesn't want to hold my hand. She wants to get in the middle of the older kids who are skating at 60 mph. Harley, she is much more reasonable. She doesn't want me to let go of her. Poor girl. Consequently you could see where I was holding her upper arm. The red mark is gone now, but I was worried someone would think I was abusing her!
We made it ONCE around the rink. It took an hour I think. I was sweating like I was on trial for murder and they found the weapon in my hand!
Then the skating rink had the nerve to bring out SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS!! Oh, for the love of my sanity, WHY? Now Vanessa is upset because she can't get to him. She wants to go give him a hug. He walked near us twice but didn't hear the girls yell (how could you with the music so freakin' loud?! - if the music is too loud, you're too old. I'm too old). Again, Harley was much more logical about all this. She knew she couldn't skate to him and was resigned to just letting it go. God Bless her!! Vanessa was so upset I finally had to tell her that it wasn't really Spongebob, it was a guy in a costume. That didn't do much to appease her.
After what seemed like an eternity the girls decided they would take off their skates and play some games. The selection was bad and they only played 2 games each. Finally I said I would buy them some candy at the concession stand. Everyone was happy with this suggestion.
What they should sell at the concession stand is Ben Gay and Advil for the parents!!
My shoulders are killing me this morning!!
I don't really have pictures. Like I said, I am one woman. I will add the 2 pictures I took later.
