What a debacle. We decided to take the toddlers, Ellie and Colin, ice skating for the first time. We found out that the University of Michigan's Yost Arena had a holiday skate from 1-3pm, and decided to give that a try. After all, Baba Ratkowski had bought the kids ice skates for Christmas (the kind with two blades that strap to the bottom of their shoes). They seemed excited about it, until we arrived at the arena. Maybe it was the sight of so many people skating around out there, or just insecurity in general, or Ellie just not feeling well. But for whatever reason, they didn't want to go. We managed to get the skates on a protesting Ellie, but Colin wouldn't let us come near his feet. I carried Ellie out on the ice to try to get her to see how fun it was, but I might have made her more scared by my unstable wobbling. The rental skates weren't very good, and it had been so long since I had been on the ice, and combined with the destabilizing toddler on my hip, I didn't do very well. I never fell, but Ellie never got comfortable either.
The best picture we got of us on the ice. I had to at least get a picture so we could laugh about it later when she's an Olympic figure skater (or hockey player).
This one gives you a better idea of how she felt about ice skating. We really did think she would dig it. She loves hanging out at the curling club, and will go out with me on the curling ice. She loves watching the hockey next door, and the zamboni. But no skating for her. She'll stay in the stands, thankyouverymuch. It may be a while before we can try it again.
In addition to all the Christmas festivities, we had lots more fun with various people in various locales.
Uncle Gary made these cavity-incuding Christmas trees. They were ice cream cones covered in green icing and sprinkles, with little chocolates inside, and placed on top of another cookie. I went into a coma just looking at them.
Two of my favorite things in the world. I told you they had giant beers at Joe Louis. Ellie fell asleep for part of the hockey game, and was a little freaked out when the puck came crashing into our corner (second row seats right in the corner where MSU should have been forechecking), but mostly loved the game, especially the skating Husky mascot for Michigan Tech.
Enjoying one of her favorite foods: pizza, with Aunt Amy. She just seems to like the dough and the sauce, not so much on the cheese and pepperoni. Toddlers.
We rang in the toddlers' New Year with a soon to be traditional trip to Chuck E. Cheese's, followed by a trip to the ice cream store. Yes, in Michigan, in winter. I had coffee, don't ask me.
Happy New Year!
Another Christmas in Michigan is past. At the rate Ellie is accumulating gifts, by the time she is 18, she will be receiving enough gifts to give every resident of China one of her gifts, and still have some left over. I'm not sure if I'll be able to cram that many into the Civic's trunk.
You can get a glimpse of the sheer immense size of her present stack behind Roger (in the Santa hat).
Cousin Colin gives Ellie a hug. Each of them took turns being good at sharing, but neither of them ever wanted to share on the same day. Toddlers. You can also see more of their stacks in the background. About half went to each toddler.
Ellie jumps for joy in her cute stripey jammies (more pictures of those coming up later). This was the first year that she really had any clue that there were presents, and that she could open them, and keep whatever it was (for the most part). Many presents were opened with a "Oh boy!" Sometimes, she actually meant it, other times, she was saying "Oh boy!" to a cardboard box that still needed to be opened.
Ellie's favorite Christmas Day toy from Santa: the Little People bus. Hard to believe that when Lisa and I were kids, we got a bus that just made the people bounce as it drove. This one, naturally, lights up and makes noise when you press the driver's head.
Plenty of other gifts among the faves: her new "Josie Rosie" doll (named after a family friends' child), the fashion doggie (mainly because it came with a leash), Aqua-doodlers of various shapes and sizes, and a new cozy blanket. Ellie says thanks to everyone.
