Preceeding a trip to the local grocery store (during which, amusingly, we found ourselves in the midst of a "back to school" sale, it being Feb and end of summer down here, after all!), the boys attended their first birthday party!
We were invited to go ice skating at a nearby indoor rink.
It was our first experience with skating in a city that is currently battling 32-degree-C weather... and it was FUN!
The first thing we did after opening presents was rent ice skates -- their only option for rentals was figure skates, though we did see a young boy on hockey skates (probably his own, gauging by how well he flitted across the ice). Then it was on to the "rink", a small, pock-marked surface of artificial ice, which was periodically cleared by a fellow with a little scoop. (No zamboni here!)
We were invited to go ice skating at a nearby indoor rink.
It was our first experience with skating in a city that is currently battling 32-degree-C weather... and it was FUN!
The first thing we did after opening presents was rent ice skates -- their only option for rentals was figure skates, though we did see a young boy on hockey skates (probably his own, gauging by how well he flitted across the ice). Then it was on to the "rink", a small, pock-marked surface of artificial ice, which was periodically cleared by a fellow with a little scoop. (No zamboni here!)
As we skated, we had to be careful to avoid the puddles formed from the roof dripping in certain areas, and be cautious, too, of the divets and bumps on the surface of the rink. Further complications arose due to the general dullness of the blades of the ice skates. It was kind of a nice way to level the playing field, though, for all the skaters: The combination of factors really slowed down the whole skating experience, and the boys quite enjoyed themselves.
The music was fun and not too loud, and there were disco lights to skate to -- the boys actually really liked it: "It's good, 'cause it's not too crowded, Mom!", not to mention that basically everyone there was as lousy at skating as they were, tee hee!
The music was fun and not too loud, and there were disco lights to skate to -- the boys actually really liked it: "It's good, 'cause it's not too crowded, Mom!", not to mention that basically everyone there was as lousy at skating as they were, tee hee!
After a spot of ice skating, it was on to the main event: BIRTHDAY CAKE!!! The boys and the birthday girl got themselves sugared up, after which they ran around and played silly games on the second floor of the restaurant -- it was mid afternoon, so nice and empty. (Argentines typically don't "party" until much later at night.)
The parents, meanwhile, got to enjoy some "adult" time... interesting stories were shared of travel to other places in South America, and healthcare and other politics were discussed; boring topics for the kids. :)