Ice Skating, Peak Fest, and Bike Riding

There is an ice skating rink on Base that we have never been to, mostly because we never even thought about going ice skating before.  Cory mentioned one night that he saw that the ice skating rink is closing in a couple of weeks and that we should go before it closed.  Neither him nor Jaden has been ice skating before, so it was going to be a fun little adventure!  We decided to go this past Friday, because Cory got off from work early, so it worked out perfectly.

The thing about Jaden is that he really enjoys trying new things and is fearless when it comes to it, too.  He just gives it his all and really tries.  He absolutely LOVED ice skating and keeps asking to go back and do it again.  Afterwards, we went to lunch and he said "What do hockey players eat? I want to eat a hockey player lunch."  What did I just start?? ;)

I asked about lessons when they reopen in the Fall, and I think that is going to be a brand new extracurricular for Jaden, since he shows so much interest in it after one time.  Can't wait for September!

Trying it without the little walker-helper.

I looked up different festivals and things to do around NC for the Summer, and I found something to do practically every month, which started this month!  Yay for Spring and Summer months! This last weekend was Peak Fest up in Apex.  We started our morning off pretty early so that we could make it to the downtown firehouse and have a pancake breakfast that the firehouse was hosting.  Afterwards, we walked about and spent a good 4 hours exploring different booths, and talking to people, watching shows, petting dogs, eating cotton candy, and just enjoying the talents of those cute, little, old-fashioned town members.  

 These guys were pretty incredible and they were really nice to give us a special photo op after their show.  Jaden decided he wants to learn to do this when he's older...oh brother... :)

Different organizations/companies had lots of different things set up in order to promote their businesses.  This was a sports one, and they had a fun little street hockey court set up.  Jaden LOVED it, especially with his new found love of ice skating and hockey.  The helmet he is wearing was given to us from the Apex Police Department booth.  It was brand new, and the policeman asked if he has a bike, and then he went over and gave us a helmet.  Pretty awesome.  So Jaden wore it while he played hockey, because that's what he's seen them do!  He was here for a good hour or so.

Jaden loves police officers, so we got a picture with a couple of them that were standing on the street!  They were really friendly.

This cute older couple put on a little show for the kiddos that were there.  They sang some really fun songs, and told stories with puppets and everything.  She was just so cute!  So animated and really fun.  Jaden really enjoyed this, too.

One of the music performers was a country singer name Landon Parker.  He was incredible, I'm not even kidding.  He recorded a CD in Nashville, and is working on getting an original song on the radio.  I wish I would have gotten a video of that song, but here is one of the other songs he sang.  He is so going to be famous (I know it!) and we got to see him--Live! :)  Look him up on YouTube or something.  He  is just adorable.

After we got home from our long day out, enjoying some local festivities, Jaden decided he wanted to ride his bike (after getting a new helmet and watching those BMX performers).  So Cory took him out to help him get used to his bike again, and tried to teach him to balance. He's still learning how to ride a two-wheeler.  Well, the next thing I know, Jaden comes running upstairs and says "Mom, Mom! I rode my bike all by myself." I was really surprised, so I went to check it out myself. And oh my gosh! Here's a video...