Spring break has started, and we aren't going anywhere. I seemed to have missed the memo because everyone else is either working full-time or going to Hawaii, Mexico, New York, Baltimore, Florida. . . I couldn't even manage to go visit the cousins in Vancouver like I was planning.

Instead, we are having a staycation. I made a long lists of things that I thought that kids might enjoy and had them vote. Going to the library and the park were high on the list. Rollerskating was a yes for Rose, a maybe for David.

David was dithering about going, but when he heard several of his friends went regularly, he decided to give it a try. The evening did not start out well. He moved stiffly, refused all help and advice, and fell down a lot. At one point, he was sitting on the bench with his head in his hands and his ears turning red. He started whining about leaving, of course.

But then, he saw his classmates. And one of his classmate's mother pointed out that his wheels were locked, and once that was solved, he suddenly could skate. I think it was partially the fun of being with his friend, but suddenly, his legs were moving side to side instead of trying to chug forward, and he didn't panic when he fell. Oh yeah, winning a tootsie roll at the hokie pokie didn't hurt either. It was so cool to seem him relax and have fun.

Rose had no problem having fun. She now had the confidence to go in the big room with the more advanced skaters. I remember taking her to this community center event when she was in kindergarten, so it was amazing to see she was now one of the big kids.