Family Fun

We weren't going to sit around and play cards the whole time everyone was here so we planned some fun outings.  Some of us decided to go ice skating.  The Prairie Kid had never been before and I had only skated 2 times, in college.

I gave him a pretty good pep talk on the way.
"It might be really frustrating at first, you know."
              "You might want to quit or cry but you have to try hard and be tough."
"You can't whine and throw a fit if you're frustrated."
              "If you keep trying you will get better."
"You might fall down and it will hurt but I know you are tough and can get back up."
              "It will be fun eventually."

Okay, okay, maybe I was a little depressing but I know my kid will enough to know how this goes.  It goes something like this:
1. Child thinks he is invincible and is a professional at something he's never done before.
2. Pride and ego get in the way of reality.
3. First time trying something is HARD and awkward and ends up to be DISAPPOINTING with previously stated delusion if not prepped accordingly. 
4. Whining, crying, quitting are typical reaction to the reality check.
5. Mom has learned valuable lesson of verbalizing her REALISM to the DELUSIONAL child.  She hopes that some day she can influence her Realistic Hope to her child.  Life is much easier if you prepare for the worst, hope for the best, usually end up somewhere in the middle, and are pleasantly surprised by the good and not wrecked by the bad...because you were PREPARED.  : )

Like my soap box?  How about moving onto some pictures...

I think this hesitant look of fear is the result of my "pep" talk on the way to the rink.  No more invincible delusion going on here...

Stepping out for the first time!

After the REALITY hit and the kiddo started to whine and complain, I let his auntie work with him.  He won't pull that on her! ; )

And then he was able to hold it together with me

And he even went on his own a little bit!

But it was hard to get him to smile!  Next time will be easier!

Here I am with two of my sister-in-laws

And a goofy picture! 

After ice skating we watched The Men play basketball. 

The oldest nephew has a unique, vintage look...

 

It's all fun and games until someone gets an eye poked out tooth knocked out.  Yep, as we watched I saw one bro-in-law accidentally jab another bro-in-law in the mouth with this hand.  And an object FLEW through the air.  The jabbed bro-in-law grasped his mouth and said "Where's my tooth?"

I got up from my seat and pointed as I walked onto the court.  "Here it is."  I picked it up and carried it to the rightful owner.  After many phone calls we got him in with a dentist who was able to fix it for him.

Maybe we should stick to cards, folks!