ice skating

For about 2 years, ever since we attended a friend's wedding reception, C has wanted to go ice skating. And tonight he got his chance. The young men and young women from my branch and our sister-ward went ice skating, and since I have a calling to work with the young women, I was able to join them.
Mr. Boss stayed home with the younger two, but we both agreed that I should take C with me.
He was pretty excited when we arrived at the skating rink downtown. He patiently waited while I tied his skates on, and then mine. Finally, we were ready. As much as he had anticipated the moment, I think that first step onto the ice really took him by surprise. But I held him up and managed to maintain our balance as we began moving forward.On our first lap we stayed next to the edge, and took turns holding on to the wall, all while I held him up. It took us a good while to get around the rink, and he sounded like he wasn't sure why he ever thought he wanted to ice skate. By the time we made it back around he was ready to take of his skates and call it a night.
After a quick break for a drink of water, I convinced him to give it one more shot. He wasn't very happy about it, but he didn't fight as I led him to the ice. About 30 seconds after we got back on the ice he realized he needed to pee. I looked around frantically and saw the young women's president. "Do you know where a bathroom is?" I asked. She didn't, but she suggested I just put C over the wall and let him go, and then pull him back over.
Her suggestion inspired a similar idea, we walked off of the ice again, and over to a somewhat secluded area behind the wall, and helped him to go. All the while I was laughing at the situation. Kids are awesome! Seriously!After that we got back on the ice and managed another go-around. And then, despite his protests, I convinced him to try going around one more time. It was on this third loop that he started to seem a bit more comfortable on the ice. We started to really have fun, and we couldn't stop laughing. It was during this loop that most of these pictures were taken.About 3/4 of the way around the young women's president skated over, offered to hold one of C's hands, and helped us to skate for a bit in the center of the rink, where there were fewer grooves in the ice. C seemed to enjoy skating at this point, but didn't complain when we made our way off of the ice.It was such a beautiful and clear night. I'm so glad I decided to take C with me. I feel like we don't spend a lot of one-on-one time together, so this was really great for both of us. I sure do love this boy and his spunky, silly ways. And I love the way he flirts with the young women, he really seems to fancy one in particular. He makes them all laugh, and he makes me laugh, too.After I took C's skates off, I asked one of the young men if he'd keep an eye on C while I made a quick loop, child-free. He agreed, and even stood C up on the wall so he could watch me. After my second loop I made my way over to them, and one of the young women who was standing nearby informed me that C said I was "doing a great job". He was pretty impressed with my skating abilities. It was something simple, and unimpressive, but my boy was in awe of me, and that is a wonderful feeling. Being a mom is the best thing I have ever done.