Backyard Skating

This has been a tough year for the backyard rink. Mom has had to travel for work quite a bit, which means that she has not been around to maintain the surface. Mama does a great job, but sometimes shoveling snow off the rink takes a back burner to all the other chores she has to do. Despite all that, we have been able to get some use out of it.

The unseasonably warm start of winter meant that the rink didn't even get filled until January 3rd. With the length extension that Mom added this year, the deep end got REALLY deep (almost 18"!), so the water took a long time to freeze. Mom was quite relieved to find that the tarp could hold it.

Thankfully, the kids haven't needed the ice to be perfect for them to skate on it. They have gone out on it regardless, which Mom loves to see.

Emily's skates from last year don't fit her anymore, but luckily we were able to get her a free pair from our hockey club's "swap" equipment so she can skate too.

It is really fun to watch them play together. They are at the age now where they don't even demand that Mom plays too--at least not every time.

Kate will even skate by herself on occasion. She has been working hard on lifting the puck when she shoots, and now that she has had some success at it, it's all she wants to do if Emily isn't joining in.

Mom has a plan to buy a couple of cowbells and hang them in the upper corners of the goal, so Kate has a target to shoot at--fun!