Last year at Christmas time we decided that an ice rink was a grand idea. I did a bit of research and was convinced that it was a simple task. So I ordered the plastic liner and said... make it so!
Building an ice rink in freezing weather after we already had a foot of snow on the ground wasn't a well thought out plan. Aside from the unlevel ground, the hoses kept freezing for some reason. We were only able to create a rink with about 1/3rd of the liner, which made it more susceptible to damage so we were really cautious. We also learned that getting on and off the rink wasn't simple.
So..
In July the following year, we took a break from construction for a day. We laid out the liner and staked out a new location of flatter ground. Oh how I wish we'd had a camera rolling when we were finished staking and folded up the liner again. Our still, calm morning suddenly became blustery and the liner, with us holding only the corners, became a kite in flight. It literally lifted Duncan off his feet. It took everyone to wrangle the liner until we had it rolled back up so it could be stored until just before winter. Satisfied with our 'surveying' and prep, we returned to our construction projects.
Then...
In mid-November since the weather forecasted a snowstorm we took a quick break that we didn't really have time for from our Construction and built the frame for the ice rink and pounded in the posts in preparation of the freezing temps and snow. Then we filled the rink. The ice formed overnight! We topped it up the next day.. which we later learned was not wise but fortunately it didn't tear the liner as it said it might.
We didn't have long to wait.
The boys tested it out.
Hockey and Skating.
La piece de la resistance.
LIGHTING
After a year, we had our ice rink. It didn't seem to have the same call for the boys that it did the previous year. They skated and improved their hockey skills and spent most of their time skating while shoveling off snow, but it was missing something.
January provided the missing something.
It needed..
the girls!
They had been part of the original rink the year before and now they needed to be here for the new rink. It's just not an official ice rink until Esther has done an unprecedented figure skating spin.
Or perhaps.. my favourite.. the moonlight skate.
