Dilemma at the roller rink

It took awhile, but persistent cold weather and falling snow have brought a true Wisconsin winter to Eau Claire. Shoveling has always been Jon's thing, but long hours and a distant job site mean he's usually not around, so shoveling duty has fallen to a different crew... Mikey, Emma and I. And there's a lot to do: besides our driveway and both sides of our corner lot, we shovel our two next door neighbors' sidewalks, as well. We wouldn't have to, but one's elderly and one has a bad back, and Jon used to always snow blow for them, just to be nice. So now that he can't we're still doing it. The kids like the idea that they're helping other people.

Sunday we met some friends at a local establishment called Skate America. It's a roller rink, reminiscient of the old "Crystal Rock" in Rhinelander, where you can still rent roller skates with four sets of wheels. There's a big dance floor, and everyone skates in circles as loud music blares and strobe lights flash. Sometimes they do the Hokey Pokey or the limbo. They allow in-line skates, too, if you bring them, and lots of kids bring their scooters. There are other games and activities there as well, not to mention an over-priced snack bar, so it's kid paradise.

Emma was delighted and got right into it. She skated, scooted, and limbo-ed. Michael, of course, didn't care for the place at all-- too loud and crazy for him. He likes peace and order. After about an hour and a half, he insisted that we go; while Emma was still having fun, I gave in because he really seemed distressed. Of course, once she heard we were leaving, Emma became the distressed one.

She cried and lamented on the way home, but by that point I was glad we left. Despite her energy at the rink, in the car she was wreck, completely exhausted. Once home she took to the couch, and didn't leave it. She said she was cold, but she was sweating and feverish. At the rink she'd been saying that her mouth felt funny, and I realized (now that she was coughing) that she probably meant her throat was sore. It was wierd how all that playing seemed to sent her over the edge and reveal her illness.

I kept her home from school yesterday. Though still not 100%, she was better this morning, so I sent her to school. Hope she does okay... such is the inexact science of motherhood.