I’m wiping a tear right now. Bryant Park skating is over for the season. We had some fun there this year. First, there was this event. And a few weeks ago I headed back there with the kids in tow.
I have to be honest here: skating with kids is challenging. If you’ve got a kid who can skate, fantastic. If, however, you have the misfortune of teaching someone to skate, Godspeed.
Although I haven’t actually done any of these activities, my reading of 19th Century literature suggests that cotton picking or perhaps coal mining are activities that would result in similar back pain.
There’s the obvious hunching, the lifting from odd angles, the propping, dragging and carrying. It’s enough to make you the star of your own Salonpas commercial.
But the kids really do love it, which makes it all worth it.
At first we had plans to skate at The Standard Hotel, which is walking distance from our apartment. But an employee hockey tournament was underway, so we needed to change venues. We pivoted, flagged a taxi, and headed north to Bryant Park.
Stepping out of the taxi, I was pleased to find out that Lauren’s water bottle had upended into my skate. Never mind that it was below freezing and were about to spend the morning at an outdoor rink. The skate would go on.
I got the kids ready first.
With my 100% non-sporty eyewear and beat up hockey skates, we were ready to rock & roll.
One of the great things about Bryant Park is that you can skate at the foot of some of New York City’s tallest skyscrapers.
After skating, Sam chased some indoor pigeons, not realizing that if he actually caught one with his skates on, we’d have blood on our hands.
So that we wouldn’t have to deal with any murders, I diverted their attention to cupcakes.
Sam liked his.
Lauren didn’t like her frosting.
And I’ll tell you what I really liked. Getting back to this at the end of the day:
Skating is hard work. Maybe even harder than cotton picking and coal mining combined.
We’ll miss Bryant Park’s skating rink. It’ll be 8 long months before we’re back there again. But my back is relieved. And I’m pretty sure the pigeons are too.
I like your fun set of photos, I haven’t been skating in years, wouldn’t have minded that drink after heheh!
Have a skatetastic week 🙂
Thanks Steve, next year you’ll have to get out there!
Skating outdoors looks like so much fun.
Well put! And, if you’re a klutz like me, then you may even injure your kid as you both fall down together. Thankfully, Amanda survived my little accident and forgave me. Your rendition is very funny and the photos of everyone on the ice with towering skyscrapers all around is really cool!
After posting my previous comment, I noticed that my URL was missing the “s” in abooksandmore, so that link is a dud. Enjoy your spring!
No worries! I’m pretty steady on my skates, thankfully! I guess those years of skating as a kid helped me in my future role as a skating instructor 😉
How fun! Those cupcakes look so yummy!
Ice skating is one thing I never made it to do with my kids this winter. You look like you had so much fun!
love your photos. especially the one under the skyscrapers! wish i was in a country that snows!
Skating has been fun this year, but I have to say a big old cheers to summer coming!
Yeehaw to that…can’t come soon enough.
Skating outdoors is so much fun. Lucky kids to have such an energetic Mum. Great photos Jess.
Thanks mum xox
What a fun set of pictures, love the children with the cupcakes…
Have a nice day!
Thanks Jay! Sam just about ate his wrapper he loved it so much 😉
Looks like fun! I’m so glad no pigeons were hurt!
Me too!
“Skating is hard work. Maybe even harder than cotton picking and coal mining combined.” LOL! I love this statement.
😉
I’ve tried skating once but it really freaked me out. I don’t think I like anything that makes me go fast. The kids must have really enjoyed themselves there 🙂
Love the pics! We went ice skating here but I am sure it is nothing like it is up north. Looks like a great time!!
What fun! Ive always wanted to skate in Rockefeller Center. I stink and ice skates though…I need for wheels, straigth lines scare me…LOL
Skating looks like loads of fun! I haven’t been ice skating in over 30 years.
It looks like you had a lot of fun!
Skating always looked like fun, but I have crappy ankles, so bad that I have to wear special arch supports. I’ll just happily watch it.
I love Bryant Park… looks like a fun date with the kids!!
Thanks Tabitha, it was 🙂
Love the pictures! Looks like so much fun!
I’ve never gone skating with my two. I’ve seen them on roller skates and that was an experience all in itself. Lovely photos as usual. 🙂 Have a great week.
Love Lauren’s skates and leggies! You’re a trooper – drink well earned!
I’d love to try that.
Thanks for visiting and linking up.
Fun! I would have loved to have been there. I haven’t skated in ages.
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2014/03/ww-mowgli-loves-peanut-butter-judy.html
I’ve only driven past Bryant park in a cab! Must stop there the next time I am blessed enough to be in the city!
It’s beautiful, especially in the summer when you can grab lunch and eat it in the park…
That looks like such a fun day! Those cupcakes look yummy!
Fun! Can you believe I’ve never been ice skating?!
This looks wonderful, especially when we’re getting in a few last swims before the weather turns cooler here 🙂
Oh a New Yorker, LOVE IT. I lived there as a 20-something year old and believe it’s the best city in the world. Another thing we have in common is our tipple, I have the same orange crusher for my lemon/vodka/salt drink, in a small tumbler with lots of ice!
As for the skating, very jealous. Emily via’s Trish’s WW
My brother and his girlfriend have recently moved to NY and had a great day skating in the park over Christmas. I am so jealous that there isn’t the opportunity to do that here in Oz.
Lovely photos!
Visiting from Wordless Wednesday at My Little Drummer Boys
Ouch, my back is aching just remembering my last time helping my kiddos skate!
That looks like lots of fun for a kids day out, cupcakes too! An alcoholic drink at the end of it sounds good too 🙂
Aww this looks like great fun, I bet I can not stand in them now, been over 20 years since I last tried!! 🙂 wow…yummy cakes… great pictures …
That looks like so much fun!
Thanks for visiting and linking up!
I am so jealous of everything -especially those cool skates 🙂
Oh! That looks like a perfect day. 🙂
I’ve only been iceskating once, must be nice to have the opportunity to do it outside. I bet your kids are great at too.
I’d love to go iceskating but, unfortunately, here in Queensland Australia, it doesn’t get cold enough!
I luv your daughter’s socks. Have never ice skated.(:
I love skating. That looks like so much fun! I haven’t gone skating in forever. Definitely sounds like your back needs the rest though. Those cupcakes look divine! Yum!