Ice Skating

I had a WONDERFUL, lazy, happy, unexpected day off on Monday, which just happened to be Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so the kids were out of school too.  It was so nice to be able to sleep in and start the day nice and slow.  I woke up to the kids doing a puzzle that Aunt Corie gave them the night before.  I made me a nice, hot bowl of oatmeal, and sat down in my pajamas and my furry slippers to join them.  Ahhhh......it was so relaxing!  We finished the puzzle and then found all the objects listed on the box, as it was an I Spy puzzle. 

I didn't want to waste the rest of the day at home doing nothing or even being productive, for that matter.  It's a RARE ocassion that I have a day off with all of my kids at the same time, so I decided to take them ice skating.  The weather wasn't too bad.  It was a brisk 40 degrees, but once we got moving, coats, scarves, hats and gloves started coming off.  The best thing about the afternoon was that is was FREE!!!  I bought ice skates last August at DI for $3 a pair, so we didn't have to rent them.  A fun time was had by all.  It was Dylan and Landon's first time ever.  They both did so well.  Within 10 minutes, Dylan was whizzing past everyone and skating circles around them all!  Landon was so vigilant about learning to stay upright and getting the feel for his skates.  He fell several times, but not once did he cry.  It was met with loud laughter and fun.  I was so proud of him.  I love the picture I captured of him.  You've got to click on it, to see full size, to see why.  The look of concentration on his face is priceless.  I love that his tounge is sticking out!  Todd had been once before, when he was Dylan's age, and actually found it harder than he remembered.  I think he spent more time sitting out, trying to rub his sore ankles better, but he still seemed to have a great time.  Chelsea and Emmy had a great time holding on to each other and letting the frigid air blow thorugh their hair.  We had a fun time and plan to go back again REALLY soon.