Frozen Deer Lake

We experienced snow in Vancouver 2-3 times in a year but this year, we had snow that came on and off for weeks which resulted in frozen lakes that was hard enough to skate on. We were stoked to be able to experience the fun of outdoor skating. 

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DEER LAKE PARK

Burnaby, B.C.

Ice Skating Field Trip @ Bill Copeland

Museums were the natural choices for a field trip in Manila back when I was younger. 

Here? It varies from museums to sporty activities such as ice skating like the one we recently had in Kimi's class.

* Bill Copeland Sport Centre

* The Rink

* Fully Geared

* Friends from K :)

A lot of the Kindergarteners started with a walker and it was cute watching little guys and girls racing inside the ice rink with their walkers... 

* Active skaters

It was fun while it lasted and it was a great end for the week. 

* Kimi after her skating field trip

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HAPPY LONG WEEKEND :)

Level 3 Ice skating... PASSED!

Going up from one level to the next is getting harder as we go.

This time around, Kalen and Kimi are now in different classes. Kalen went to the child level skating because she reached age 6, while Kimi went up another level on the same category which is still the preschool category.

There are still a list of things needed to be done before they will be allowed to the next level and I am so happy to finally announced that they got the approval from their instructors to go on to Level 3 Child for Kalen and Level 4 Preschool for Kimi.

* Level 3- Passed :)!

What exactly are the thing you need to accomplish to pass Level 3 Preschool?

* Forward skating, alternate feet

* Touch ankle while gliding

* Glide on two feet for 2 meters

* Forward double sculling: 5 consec.

* Snowplow Stop (any style)

* Backward skating across rink

Glad they were able to move up to the next level. Congratulations! :)

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KILLARNEY COMMUNITY CENTER

Preschool Level 3 Ice Skating

Vancouver, B.C.

Level 2 Ice skating... PASSED!

Level 2 was a bit harder with more complex things needed to be mastered in order to pass...

* Ice Skating Progress Report

Finally, we got all of them done and we are now ready to enroll for the next one when the next Ice Skating lessons are open (Fall and Winter 2012) for registration.

What do we need to pass Level 2?

* Wave arms up and down without falling

* Glide on two feet for 1/2 meter

*Intro to Stopping: Scraping

* Intro to double sculling: bubbles

* Hop on two feet

* Skate a slalom course

*Backward step/skate halfway across rink

it was a lot of work to get them to listen and do what needs to be done,

they think that they were just having fun but we got all of these completed and they are ready for Level 3 :)

* Last Day for Level 2 Skating

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KILLARNEY COMMUNITY CENTRE

Preschool Level 2 Ice Skating

Vancouver, B.C.

Ice Skating: The Next Level

Today is the first day of Ice Skating for Level 2 students. Kalen and Kimi got the earlier slot for the next class and even if it was all rushed than the one we had before. We were excited what this new class has to offer. First off, we had to put on the first day labels to let the teacher recognize the skaters.

* Labels...

We saw the new teacher, Jade, doing drawings of ice creams in the ice. We were greeted by the young teacher then the teacher left Kimi and Kalen to walk on their skates to the middle of the rink. It was not like that the first level wherein the teacher always carry them to the middle of the rink but I guess that being able to move from the edge to the middle is already expected of them considering that they passed the first level. 

We saw Teacher Jade doing ice creams on the ice and wondered how it will help the kids when they were just asked to decorate their ice creams.... 

* Ice Cream drawings in the ice

We realized what she was planning when she demonstrated each kid to angle their feet and skate out without touching their ice cream then skate in to close. They sort of made a diamond shape with their feet and with a big ice cream in between they shouldn't step over, it was quite a feat especially for Kimi who is one of the smallest in the group.

* Diamond Pattern Skating

It was a big leap from the Level 1 wherein they skate as a beginner and the progress was slow. This one is progressing way more than I expected. It has it's advantage because I feel that they will be likely to strive more if more is expected of them.

* All done

Before we realized it, the first lesson is over and it was ready to part once again. Not without a picture together. :)

* Tired but they were in good spirit for a picture.

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KILLARNEY ICE RINK

Vancouver, B.C.

Yesterday we were 1 vote short of 100. 

Today, I am happy to say that we got 35 

(that is 35% additional from the total yesterday) more up until now.

Thank you sooo much and please help me get more votes.

just click the link :)

VOTE FOR TREASURED MOM-ENTS

Ends November 17, 2011. 5pm PST

Level 1 Ice skating... PASSED!

After 7 lessons of skating inside the ice rink...

* Ice Skating Progress Report

We PASSED! Level 2, Here we come!

What do we need to do to pass Level 1?

* Fall down and get up unassisted

* Balance and Posture

* Take 6 steps without falling

* Touch both toes

* Bounce up and down 6 times

* Skate across the rink (any style)

* Backward stepping for 6 steps

...and we COMPLETED all these!

It was close to Halloween the last day of the class. Hence, the decorations... 

So, more photos :)

* Kimi in her regular clothes

* With Kalen in their Skating gear

* Skating Duo

* Boo! Scary Cuties

* Brooms for the hockey lessons probably...

* Duo in action

* By her lonesome

I'm so happy that Kimi was really confident with skating. She loves it a lot and that a chunk of her enjoying it is the fact that she got Kalen as her skating buddy throughout the lesson. 

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KILLARNEY COMMUNITY CENTRE

Preschool Level 1 Ice Skating

Vancouver, B.C.

Kimi by her lonesome...

Skating was different without Kalen. 

When Kimi entered the skating rink, she was at a lost. 

Before, when she entered the rink, she immediately scoots over to where Kalen is and you can she is contented that there is someone with her in that big rink.

Yesterday was different. Her friend wasn't there and she felt alone... but, just for awhile.

The lesson started and she was okay after a few minutes of adjustment :)

Get well Kalen... Till next week :)

Miss you :)

Skating with more confidence

This is the 3rd skating lesson for both Kimi and Kalen...

* Early for a little photo shoot :)

Top and Shorts: Joe but Superstore; Leggings: Carters

Leather Vest: Europe from Uncle Eric

* Kimi does her dainty little pose

* Quesadillas and Hot Chocolate for snacks

...Kimi does her big eye look for the camera :)

You know that the kids are progressing inside the rink when the mommies started talking more and watching the kids less. It doesn't mean that we are not as interested as before but we are more confident that the kids can finally balance and we can finally let out a sigh of relief and get our guards down.

Progress are not as fast but every lesson has something added to help kids learn without letting them realize that they are learning. 

The best thing is that Kimi is looking forward to ice skating classes even if she is tired and must come straight from school to the lessons.

* Chummies

* Mommy Glends and Kalen... having her fill of picture for the day

Kimi on Ice... Now Showing :)

Kimi is finally registered for Ice Skating lessons this fall. I don't want to overwhelm her with all the activities offered, tempting as it was... I decided on ice skating because I personally like ice skating but didn't got the chance to do lessons when I was a kid plus I just love the movie Cutting Edge...

* Skate Rental Tickets /10s

* Skates at Size 8

* Initial Lecture

* Getting up with their shoes on

Video on them balancing in the floor before going to the actual rink

  The basics were finally imparted to them and they were sent off to the ice for some ice experience...

* First Lesson: how to get up from a fall

* Second Lesson: How to get your balance

...they were thought how to get up after a fall and they were finally ask to stand up on their own...

* On their own...

Kimi and Kalen were different in how they approached the challenge. I could see the excitement in Kalen's action and she was quite aggressive and determine to get up, while Kimi, like me, was on the cautious side, she went up little by little getting her balance and when she was sure that she got them, she was on her feet. On to moving, Kalen was quite fast and since the ice was slippery, she went down on her butt but fearless Kalen did it again and again with the determination to be admired. Kimi went with baby steps going 360 degrees, slowly but surely. I was pretty amazed that she was not falling and finding ways on how to move at her own pace. She did fall at the end but it was good time before she did and she did not cry, just picked herself up and stand up once again to try... Great job to both girls. Bravo! We are proud of you :)

A little video, just turn down the volume and pardon my cheerleader-y voice he he!

* On her own... slowly but surely

* All done! 

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KILLARNEY COMMUNITY CENTRE

Skating PS Level 1

Vancouver, B.C.