CPE Rollerskating Party

Tonight was the last Cottonwood Point Elementary rollerskating party of the year, and the first against which we didn’t already have a conflict. And Mikaela needed a good diversion tonight (more on that tomorrow), so I brought her to her first rollerskating party.

For me, the experience was a bit surreal. The name may have changed to Skate City, but it was virtually indistinguishable from the Skateland South that I went to rollerskating parties at 30-some years ago. (Though the Space Invaders, Galaga, Pac-Man, Centipede, and Defender machines were missing). I’m no better a roller skater now than I was then, and I’m probably worse. So it should come as no surprise that after 30 years or so off of wheels, Mikaela decided that she’d rather try going around the rink on her own rather than with me.

After Mikaela had skated on her own for about 45 minutes, I asked her if she wanted me to skate around with her or if it was OK for me to take off my skates. Her response, “I can skate without you, but you should go around and have fun.” I assured her that it was more fun for me to watch her skate, and my feet gladly returned to their preferred Doc Martens. Mikaela went on to have a great time. She skated for a solid hour and a half, and finally came off the rink only with a promise of a stop on the way home for a treat. Her sweat-soaked hair and flushed face called for a Sonic Cherry-Limeade.