Blade Runner

When friends of ours rented the hockey rink here in town for a family event,
we decided it was time for Lexi to test out ice skating for the very first time.
Her hockey-playing daddy knows all too well that learning to skate takes time.
He didn't want to rush the process, especially since she's still just 3.
But he did want her to try it out, and more importantly, have fun doing so.
So, they started out slow.

They used the cone a bit.
Then, he helped hold her up as they slowly did a few laps.

She didn't totally get the concept,
she kept trying to "run" in her skates.

But he didn't push her,
he didn't pressure her.
He took her around at her own pace,
and he encouraged her every step of the way.

And once she got tired...he treated her to this:

And it was by far her favorite part of the day (along with the hot chocolate.)
He got quite a few worried looks from moms.
But they quickly realized he was more steady with a 30 pound child on his shoulders
than they were simply on skates, and they all cheered my little team on!