I didn't want to spend a long time arranging pictures so here are all the pictures this post refers to; you can mix and match them to their antedotes. I had a pity party for myself right before spring break started because we didn't have any special plans. I knew at least five families going to Florida. Tom's spring break will probably never match the girls' so we won't ever have a big spring break trip as a family. And if I was you, listening to me complain, I 'd say, "It's no big deal Laura. You can have lots of fun at home."Like the dutiful citizens that we are, we didn't spend our tax return, we saved it. All of it. We had no plans to help the economy by spending. That is, until my pity party. I took out $80 from our tax return and determined to have some fun with my family. It worked, though I don't recommend spending money as a way to combat disappointment.
On Monday, we went roller skating for the first time. The first lap around the rink made me suspect that I was crazy to think I could take two first-time skaters to the rink alone. Wide-eyed Kassy clung with all her strength and both arms to my pant leg while I focused on calming her fears and not falling on top of her (I don't think I have skated in a rink for more than a decade). So Kassy clung to one leg and Hadley held one arm, but even so I think Hads fell at least 15 times.
Hadley is a trooper though. She kept going around that rink, standing up and falling down close to 80 times that day. She flashed giant grins the whole time, even as her legs flailed underneath her. I suspect all her gymnastics and splits-practicing paid off that day. And true to her nature, Hadley made a new friend at the rink. By the end of the afternoon, Hadley could skate around the rink without falling, holding hands and giggling with her new friend (much to the chagrin of her sister).
My unwillingness to flee the rink after the first lap is the only thing that kept Kassy at the rink. I made her watch from the sides as I encouraged Hads. After two or three laps without her, Kassy decided to venture out again; this time, holding my hand and with pillowcase dangling precariously from her nose to the floor. After the second lap, Kassy needed to recoup. Such effort was draining for us both( I was almost tip- toeing around the rink as this is how fast we were going). But Kassy kept trying, and by the end of the afternoon she too could skate around the rink without falling. But Kassy is an in-control person. She only fell a handful of times, and she wouldn't skate if I pushed her. Everything had to be on her terms, in her timing--which matches her approach to everyday life.
I loved the lessons inherent in the first roller skating trip---lessons of perseverance,overcoming fear, smiling at your failures, and eventual success.
On Tuesday, the neighbor across the street had the girls over to dye eggs. She also gave the girls a basket of Easter goodies: stickers and bunnies. She knows about the food issues and is careful. Such thoughtfulness is a blessing.
On Wednesday, we went ice skating. Easily Hadley's favorite activity, the rocky beginning was another time where I questioned my sanity. Kassy clung, not to me this time, but to the wall, refusing to move at all and sobbing. The cool metal "walker" you could push around for stability did not comfort her. She watched Hadley and I. I was gliding in that ice skating motion that makes everyone look gracious for a moment. And Hadley was stomping around, falling every few steps, and smiling.l Had's perseverance was contagious and Kassy took a deep breath and went out. She would have nothing to do with me and insisted I didn't touch her. But by the end everyone could skate. Hadley could even do it without a walker and with occasional gliding motions.
Part of the fun of the $80 was having a little spending money to do things like get a drink at the snack bar at the rink. I even gave the girls a $1 each to buy any snack they wanted (not many choices at that price). We almost always bring our own food and drink everywhere we go.
Wednesday night, Tom and I had a date: dinner and a movie. Nothing fancy. But it was nice.
Thursday the girls I went swimming at the community college. And Friday we went bowling with the the little girl down the street and her mom. As usual, Kassy won. My score is definitely unreportable.
We ended the break with a dinner for friends in celebration of Christ's Resurrection. Everyone dressed up. There was ham, corn, mashed potatoes, asparagus, salad, and three desserts--including a gluten- and dairy-free Mexican chocolate cake for Kass. I love having healthy meals with a treat at the end. To add to the festivities, our dear Cody got engaged that morning to his lovely girlfriend Laura, so we celebrated that too. It was a good break, even if it wasn't as warm as Florida.
