Skate Day!

When I first was told about the annual preschool skate that the past ECE had participated in with the preschool families, I was a bit apprehensive and hesitant. Preschoolers skating? And this is going to be fun? They have just mastered walking and now we are going to put them on skates? I wasn’t sure if this was a tradition that I wanted to continue.
I am in my 10th year at LPP&C. ECEs before me began and continued traditions in this preschool that has been part of the Gordon Head community for over 40 years. We have history…and I decided I wasn’t going to mess with this tradition! So, ever since my first skate 10 years ago, I have made sure we put the Annual Skate Day on the calendar in January, and after each skate day, I’m glad I did.
No doubt, skating is not for every 3 or 4 year old and his or her mom or dad. However, there have always been so many that do enjoy their skate and last Friday (the 30) was no exception.
We had the best turn out at this year’s annual skate. A number of families brought family members and friends to help with the logistics of being on the ice. Everyone seemed to enjoy using the equipment that Pearkes recreation center provides for the Parent and Tot skate time. Unfortunately, their collection of sleds has been reduced to only one new sled as the old ones had become cracked and unsafe. But we took turns and shared the one sled. Preschoolers are good at sharing. The large pylons were fun to stand on and get pushed around the ice; the hockey sticks created a real “hockey game” experience; shopping carts were fun to push around and one preschool friend had a great time cooking and serving corn on the cobb on the BBQ which he also leaned on to keep himself upright on the ice!
By the end of the hour and 20 minutes, all those who participated came off the ice sporting rosy cheeks and big smiles. We didn’t get to see the very cool Zamboni ice cleaner this time since there was a lesson right after our skate however, enjoying a yummy snack while peeling off stiff and cool ice skates seemed to be a fine way to finish off our 2015 Annual Preschool Skate.
Pics of the day will be up on the chalk board in the preschool this week! Be sure to check them out.
Rhonda