Figure Skating Champions! Sort of.....

 When I asked Garrett what he was doing for Shelby's birthday this year (January 10), he came up with the idea (with a little help from me) to take her ice skating and for sushi.  Shelby used to live in WA state and Maine, so loved to ice skate and was thrilled with the idea.  The only rink around here is in MD and is open for skating from 1:15-3:15 PM each day (ice hockey and lessons get it for the rest of the time).  I have only been ice skating twice, and both times were in high school.  As soon as I stepped on the ice, it all came back to me.....the way I have to cling to the wall as I painfully make my way around the slippery rink.  Between Caroline and me, we managed to get Emily around the rink a few times with no falls!  Yay!  Emily is an honest soul, and once she'd made it around 4 times, she declared herself finished and said she was ready to leave.  We watched the older 3 enjoy some ice time and hung out in the "spectator" section.  Then it was off to Japan Express for some overpriced but tasty sushi and then off to home!
Why did I bring Emily with me, do you ask?  Two reasons:  (1) Timmy hyper-somethinged a disk in his back and was immobile for 2 weeks.  Had to bring at least one kid with me, and Jason is more likely to hangout and watch a show with Timmy than Emily and (2) ever since watching "Lord of the Rink" on Sofia the First, Emily was CONVINCED that she would excellent at ice skating.  I think our trip calmed down her confidence :)