My mom got the kids and I pairs of ice skates for Christmas, but it's been so cold that we haven't had a chance to try them-- until this afternoon, when we headed up to the park near our house, where the city maintains a plowed, decent-sized ice area.

Turns out, ice skating is almost exactly the same as rollerblading-- it took me about thirty seconds to feel comfortable. In fact, I'd say ice skating is a bit easier: any pressure causes immediate turning, so it's easier to change direction; and stopping is quicker, because the blades dig into the ice.

That said, H and I did both take rather hilarious "heels-in-the-air" flying falls when we got too cocky. And D was struggling to stay upright, so I had to spend a lot of time pulling him along-- whereas he took to inline skates much more quickly at an indoor roller rink just a few weeks ago.

We're going to an actual indoor ice skating facility this weekend with my mom. It'll be fun to try these skates on perfectly flat, high quality ice!