Well, the kiddo (DD,
had her first lesson today at the new rink. We were able to get her some used skates (very gently used Jackson Classiques) from the SD that she had on consignment. Her first 30 mins on the ice was a little rough. Lots of falls, but she got back up and kept going.
It was hard for her to communicate with us because this rink has the glass on the boards, I *think* I am going to sit in the hockey area from now on, so she can talk to me easily. It seems to make her more comfortable.
Her class has 3 kids, all different levels and 2 instructors. So she got a lot of individual attention, which was great. They really took the time to see where she is at, and work with her. She is a very VERY sensitive child and really doesn't like being corrected, or as she says "criticized". This is a trait that we are working on at home. And I had explained that there would be a lot of that if she skated/took lessons.
Towards the end of the lesson, they made her turn her coat inside out because her hands were in her pockets all the time. After her lesson, the just melted into me and cried. :'( It was one of those times, that you knew she was tired, hurting and it was a little much for her. So, lots of hugs and reassurance from me, her dad and her coaches later, she didn't skate after practice but over an hour in new skates, on new ice and a lot of falls, I was okay with that.
Told her that she was going back again Friday, no ifs and or buts about it. Got her some lunch and Tylenol and she was in much better spirits.