Sister on Skates

Thank goodness for the wall. She was able to get around pretty good with the security of the wall. I think using the rentals was a better idea than her blades as she seemed to be a little more comfortable.

Leona's Birthday Party

It's hard to discuss personal matters on blogs. You never know who might be reading them. Maybe one day her mother will read this and realize how much she's missed out on her daughters life because of her selfish drug use.

Leona turned ten! [Since last year her mother dropped her off at a park (stole the gift cards, money and left her daughter there for a birthday party with nothing and no one but me...) this year I was determined to make sure this girl had a real birthday party and that her mother didn't ruin it.]

We started with invitations custom made for her special day. She was allowed to invite ten friends to the skating rink for 2 hours of special fun.

We did a ton of balloons, pizza and chicken fingers, cotton candy, soda and a ton of glow in the dark accessories. My mother made fancy blue cupcakes with horse toppers. She is obsessed with horses so we made sure to incorporate them.

She opened our gift and sqealed so loud I thought maybe a bug had jumped into the bag. She screamed "My aunt made this for me her self!". I made her a hand crocheted teal hat with beige flower and black and beige stripe (It's one of my hidden talents... I do sell them if anyone reading this blog ever cared).

She was ecstatic jumping up and down then saw the matching shirt with a glittering picture of a horse and long pants. I was near tears. I watched as I have never seen her so happy or smile so large. 

Grama made gift bags for the kids. It was really thoughtful. They included beaded bracelet kits where you can make your own beaded My Little Pony type bracelet, Glow in the dark bracelets, rings, bubbles and a cowboy bandanna.

Madison of course idolizes her big cousin. She wasn't quite able to keep up with her on skates but Leona was so good to her to include her in everything even thought she is five years younger than her. 

We have discussed adoption of both Leona and her older brother. It is a big deal to agree to accept two more children into your home. Not only two more kids but older kids with a troubled background. I wish things were different, Maybe one day the kids will know how much we tried and how much we love them, or even better maybe one day his sister will stop stealing money, doing drugs and abandoning her children. 

The worst part his parents don't want us to take the kids. I get that sort of. I mean they don't want to burden us with them or maybe it is selfish reasons they think they don't want to take them away from their daughter, but she shouldn't be allowed to abuse those kids the way she does. Either way when his parents pass and there is no more unlimited funds, the daughter will be gone... and then what will happen to the kids. The damage their mother has inflicted on them is already done, but I swore I would be there no matter what so I will continue to fight for them and if I must I will plan and ensure they have every holiday and party as my kids would. 

Legally I don't have much backbone to stand on. To adopt them I would have to buy a bigger house to prove I am a better option than where they currently reside. The issue then becomes a matter between my husband and myself... I would have to turn in his sister and his parents... and then what problems would that cause in my own marriage... and if it didn't work out worse case they would be turned over to the state. I have my moments where I wonder if that would be a better option... but this day was not one of them. She was the happiest little girl I had ever seen. I don't think I've even seen my own children this elated before.

Jace on Skates

Leona turned 10 this week. I put together a party for her at the Crystal Palace Skating rink here in Las Vegas. My husband and I grew up there so I thought I knew what I was getting myself into. I started skating when I was four years old. I continued through serious competitive roller speed skating until I was sixteen. My husband was the coolest skater I knew (but don't tell him I said that). Yes we've known each other that long. (a strange but cool story I suppose lol).

The skating rink is the same place just completely different. The carpet was changed it is intense but fun. The lighting is completely different with new technology LED glow lights everywhere. They changed a lot, which I am sure is necessary if you want to stay an active business.

The saddest part. There is no more roller-speed skating. Not a single team here. I guess it was a popular thing in the 90's and died off when ice-speed skating was introduced into the 2002 Winter Olympics. I knew when they were scouting for Olympic Development in about 1996 they were ecstatic at the possibilities of skating int he Olympics, but I knew if it went ice no one would be interested in roller.

Now 12 years later there is no roller-speed team left in Las Vegas. 

So back to the party... We invited 10 girls and the rest family. I had no intention of skating. My daughter brought some skates she had received from Grama. Jace tried to run onto the floor first chance he got. Hence we both ended up in skates.

He tried to take off with only one skate on. I was surprised they fit since they are a size too big. He was determined. I thought I was little when I started but almost two and he is on roller skates. I think because it is in his bones. I mean their parents met at the skating rink. Without that place my life would be drastically different for one I wouldn't have met my husband.

I suppose his fascination with the skates makes sense since he loves everything and anything with wheels. They were adorable. I was surprised. When you are a "speed-skater" you don't wear the gross rental skates. However they are new. Thank goodness! I would've been a little weird-ed out if they were the exact same skates from when I was little. 

When I was younger the floor was a little different. I would plop myself on the floor for whatever reason. Now it just felt so foreign. It has changed a lot seeing as with speed-skating and then came roller-hockey the rink smelled like sweat, dirty feet and grease. It of course was a very distinct smell. I didn't know at the time but my younger sister would always tease me when I got home from practice (and we practiced 3 times a day for Regionals) that I smelled like the skating-rink. I thought cool, but it really wasn't a compliment.

NOW it didn't smell. They must've upgraded their AC units or ventilation or since there is no more speed-skating or dirty hockey gear there is less sweat and dirty feet everywhere. 

He seemed to be fascinated with the wheels. Part of me is sad though my kids will never know the thrill of being on a competitive speed-skating team or racing the way I knew it. Sure skating at the public sessions is fun I did it every day sometimes multiple sessions a day, but it just isn't the same as racing. 

Maybe by the time they are old enough to race they will start another team. The owner's son or possibly the owner now did say it comes and goes but it was huge in the 90's that is for sure.