The anticipation built through November and December. Then the temperature dropped for a few days, and the skates came out. But, true to Chicago weather, it wasn’t long until the temperature warmed up for a couple days–just enough to melt the ice.

But we waited. The weathermen said it would freeze soon enough, so we drew pictures

and kept the skates out until the pond was solid once again.

Jake went out with the drill yesterday afternoon and declared the ice thick enough for open skate. Since there was no snow on the ice, it was particularly slick. Molly was hesitant.

But the kids had a blast.

Here they are finding their skating legs.

As Jake saw Ruthie struggling on her skates, he took her under his wing and taught her a thing or two about gliding.

She was so excited to show me what she learned and exclaimed, “Look what Jake showed me!”

Jim had compassion on the kids out in the single-digit temperatures and built a fire for them.

It was much appreciated.