Rollerskating

I love when we find something that our entire family loves to do.  Last year, the 4 year old and the 15 year old had their birthday party at the skating rink.  I was so nervous about how Hailey was going to do that I had her behavioral assistant come to the party with us.  Boy was I surprised.  I guess that the fact that she had to focus so hard to stay up on her feet made it impossible to do anything else.  So negative social behaviors were non existent that day!

We have gone just one or two times since then and every time I think, why don't we do this more often?  She absolutely loves it.  Yesterday we were invited to a birthday party (Happy 8th Birthday S!) at the skating rink and once again Hailey loved it.  And once again, I pondered why we don't go often.

She smiles so much and laughs.  On the carpet at the rink, she can pretty much stay up on her feet all on her own.  This is always so amazing to me.  I mean 11 years ago, the doctors were sure she would never walk and here she is SKATING!  Once we get onto the rink, the floor is a bit more slick so I have a system of holding her up.  I hold my arm under her armpit and then hold her hand with my hand and basically it is like a moving crutch. The rinks in our area allow me to walk on the rink in my tennis shoes so that I can help her.  It is amazing.  She dances to the music and laughs.

I think that one of the best parts is that all of the other kids are so busy falling on their butts too that no one has time or the energy to look funny at Hailey.  It is the one social setting that we never get the weird looks from the little kids.  They are just impressed that she is on her feet while they are on their butts!  It is also a place where I get to smile continuously because she is having so much fun.  Other adults stop her and tell her how great she is doing.

If you haven't had the chance to take your children skating, I highly recommend it.  I worked there when I was in high school and for a couple of years afterwards.  I met my son's father there and basically grew up there.  Maybe that is why I have such a happy feeling there.  But all in all, it is amazing to just see her do something that no one every believed she would do!

And the "why don't we do this more often" question...well I also always forget that I can barely lift my arms up the next day from holding her up on the rink for 2 hours straight!!  I guess there needs to be months in between so that my arms can heal!

I hope everyone has a great Sunday morning!  And Happy Super Bowl!