On Thin Ice: Nadia's Skating Diary

Nadia's Skating Diary

1Monday
Today was my first skating lesson at the city rink. My legs turned to jelly the second I stepped onto the ice, so I held on to the wall the whole time. Coach Ruiz said I would get the hang of it soon. I did not know anyone in my class, so I stayed quiet. Then a girl named Wen asked me if I liked hot cocoa. Her question broke the ice, and we talked all through our break.

2Wednesday
I was ten minutes late to practice because I left my skates at home. Coach Ruiz looked at the clock and frowned. She said I was on thin ice and must be on time next week. I told her I was sorry. Coach Ruiz is kind, but she has eyes in the back of her head. Even when she is helping another skater, she notices if one of us stops listening.

3Saturday
This morning, Grandpa and I walked to the lake in the park. Ice covered the edges, but the ice in the middle looked thin and gray. Grandpa said it was not safe to walk on, so we stayed on the path. When we got home, Grandpa used a stick to break the ice in the birdbath so the birds could drink.

4After lunch, my little brother Theo told me the rink had closed for the whole winter. He was pulling my leg! The rink was open, and Coach Ruiz was there for free skate. I skated all the way around without touching the wall once. Time flew, and I did not want to go home.