Skater Girl

Every six months or so Paige goes through a new sports craze and trust me, there have been a few.  They started just about the time of her 3rd birthday.  First it was Gophers hockey, she had the stick, the puck and a plethora of clothes all donning the Minnesota mascot, Goldy Gopher. This was one of the longer phases and for a brief few months it morphed into Gopher basketball.  I am pretty sure though that was just because she wanted the ball and "Gopher's shirt with no sleeves", also known as a basketball jersey.  For her 4th birthday we gave her a full size Gopher's basketball and jersey.  She still wears it all the time to school as it is quite appropriate for playing in her much loved "basketball gym".

Over the past 9 months or so her ultimate favorite has been baseball which stemmed from the movie "The Sandlot".  Totally fantastic since it is a throwback to our childhood as well.  Who would have ever thought she would love an old movie so much.  Well she has just about worn the movie out and just last weekend she was able to go out back in the park and hit a few balls with Dad for real.  For the better part of the winter she has had to play in the basement with foam balls and a plastic bat.  Now that spring is here she can use her aluminum bat! 

Paige has always had not only a big interest in sports but also a very natural athletic ability.  She is pretty good at everything she tries, I hope one day she really takes on a long term interest in a sport because she will really excel once she gains confidence.  Oh, did I mention she is crazy fast too?

Well most recently she has had in interest in skateboarding.  I am not sure where that came from but she will.not.let.the.idea.go.  We have continuously told her each time she asked us if she could get a skateboard that she was too little and would have to wait until she was at least 8 years old.  Well last weekend we were shopping for some new jeans for her and somehow she spotted a mini skateboard in a cart of stuff, under a rack.  She quickly grabbed it and held it up to be with joy in her eyes.  "Look Mom!  A little skateboard just my size!  oh my gosh! Can I buy it?  Puh-leeeze!!!!".  I told her no, maybe another time.  Saddened she put it back but as we were shopping we just kept circling the darn thing and each time she would stare longingly at it and give me "the eyes".  Finally I picked it up and took a closer which made Paige squeal with delight.  I told her I would ask the cashier how much it was but that did not mean we were getting it.  She was okay with that.  Well when we finally finished shopping and made our way to the register I asked about it and it's lack of tags.  Was it for sale?  I was informed that it cam free with a t-shirt.  How odd, buy this t-shirt and get a free skateboard!  Well bottom line is that Paige ended up going home with a new skater t-shirt and skateboard for $8.  Not too bad!

Of course when we got home Paige was thrilled to show her Dad the skateboard.  I had told her that she could only practice on the carpet until she got knee and elbow pads and she HAD to wear her bike helmet at all times!  Well how fun was that, a skateboard with no pads is like a toy with no batteries.  In no time at all Jeff fashioned both knee and elbow pads out of his old tube socks and she was ready to rock as she would say.  I was able to take a couple of priceless videos of her first attempts to ride the board on the desk.  She was a bit discouraged that it wasn't as easy as it looked.  I am so glad I caught this on video!  Enjoy! 

Note: Make SURE you have the sound on.