A mere two weeks ago, the pond was as fluid as could be. But thanks to Chicago’s extreme, change-on-a-dime weather, we now have a several-inch thick pond of ice in the backyard. And since these boys have been chomping at the bit to go out and skate, once Jim performed a couple drill bit tests and determined the ice thick enough for a truck to drive on, they wasted no time strapping on those skates.

It’s fun to see these guys improve from one year to the next.

This little guy in particular has become quite the skater…and stick handler.

Meanwhile, Ruthie-boots still opts not to wear skates. She says she’s too little. So while her brothers engage in a pick-up game of hockey, she wanders around the rink while having imaginary conversations.

The teams were Jake and Peter vs. Derek and Jeremy. In terms of birth order, it was the odds versus the evens.

1 and 2 faced off.

Then the competition really began.

They took a break for lunch and warming up by the fire, but thanks to the flood lights on the rink, they’ll be out later tonight.