Competitive figure skating moms...

[Yzma and Kronk]

DS just got her first music last night, and I mailed the application for her first competition!

Does anyone have any good web sites for skating dresses? (not too pricey - I don't think I want to pay $30,000 )

Well, off to power skating.........you gotta love that arena smell I think I'm addicted to it

 

[HeyMickey]

Capezio has an online outlet store here that has a lot of figure skating clothes at good prices. I don't know anything about figure skating-wear, but some of the dresses they have look pretty cool to me.

 

[tmq2766]

You can really find some good deals on E-Bay and if necessary have them altered or add embelishments.
The thing that cost me more than anything is the pictures that are taken by the photographers at the competitions. YIKES

 

[shelbyjosh]

There are some beautiful dresses at www.shareneskatewear.com You can order them 3 different ways: plain dress (no stones), some stones, lots of stones. They are very pretty. Also some at www.taniabass.com Good luck and I am sure you will find something you like.

 

[tjmw2727]

Here is a kind of silly question for you but how do all you moms stay warm? I am tired of wearing my winter jacket in the rink esp now that we finally have warm weather here in New England. My fleece just dosent cut it for stays over 40 minutes or so. My kiddos are complaining they are to hot and I am freezing!!

TJ

 

[TammiMcMan]

TJ, I remember that Reading rink can get very cold. There's that little sitting area off to the side, but then you can't get to see them skate. A blanket on the bleacher seats can help and I think if you sit up higher in the stands, it's warmer. Look above you and see if you can find where the heating duct comes out. we'll actually be at that rink in mid-May for a learn to skate exhibition. Have you been to Hockeytown yet? YIKES! You need a snowsuit in that place.

DS is at Boston University right now doing a full dress rehearsal for this weekends skating show. DH just called me saying that they are already running an hour behind schedule. Looks like it's going to be a long night for them.

~Tammi

 

[tjmw2727]

Ha - thanks Tammi, actually I know exactly where all the heat ducts are and which way they blow -if they are on LOL.

I haven't been to Hockeytown in Saugus yet, but I grew up in Melrose which use to be "Hockeytown". Our family was a big hockey skating family but the girls (back then) were only on the cheering team. Most of my cousins kids, boys and girls, play hockey so we are the ony figure skaters in the family. Oops way TMI, anyway....

Occasionally I remember to bring in a blanket or towel and that does help. I guess that's about all you can do along with a hot coffee. Sometimes I do sit in the snack room, honestly though my girls are young and I prefer to watch them - and I enjoy watching them as well.

I think I am going to try and "get by" with my fleece tomorrow as its much more comfortable than the winter coat.

Good luck with the show! If I had more notice I would have taken the girls, it sounds wonderful.
Enjoy

TJ

Oh and thanks for the links to the skating apparel, I have them bookmarked for future reference.

 

[tjmw2727]

Tammy, by any chance is that the 24th you will be at the rink? If so that's the day of my girls first venture into "competition" although only at the basic 5 and 7 level.

TJ

 

[TammiMcMan]

TJ, we'll be there on the evening of May 15th. It's a year end ice show for the learn to skate program that my son helps out at. He'll be exhibiting that night.

Best of luck to your girls at their competition. I hope they have fun.

 

[Shells9]

I have a great fleece Polartech jacket that I wear that keeps me warm, and usually a sweatshirt underneath. We live in Florida, so when we go grocery shopping afterwards and I am all bundled up, people look at us funny, lol!

I stay in the snack room for her private lesson -- she concentrates much better that way, but I can still see her. I either stay in the stands or rinkside for her Learn to Skate lessons. I agree -- the higher up you are, the warmer you are.

Tomorrow is our last practice before Sunday's competition and I am very nervous! We will leave tomorrow at 3 pm and stay close to the rink since it is a 2 and half hour drive from home.

Wish us luck, and throw in any last minute tips that you can!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Shells9, have a great time. We always pack a complete 2nd pair of competition clothes, just in case and don't forget her music. Make sure you arrive at the rink at least one hour before she's scheduled to compete. Sometimes they run early because there are skaters who do not show up. If her coach is going, then that will take a lot of the pressure off you. She will warm up your DD and make sure everything is all set. Have fun and relax. Let us know how she does.

 

[tjmw2727]

No tips from me but lots of luck to you all shells! Looking forward to an update on Monday.

TJ

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Thanks for the sites Shelbyjosh - I'll check them out. DS is so excited about her first competiton!

TJ - That's so funny - we hardly ever wear winter jackets here - and often I've gone to the rink in shorts and T-shirt and forgot to bring a sweater. It's a funny site seeing all the Southern Mom's sitting huddled around each other in the stands with short/capri's, etc on. Or walking out of the rink with my fleece and hitting the 90+ heat........it's like hitting a wall. Love it when my glasses fog up!

Oh what we go through for our kids

 

[Shells9]

Thanks, we will certainly keep you updated, and I will post pics after we return.

I can't believe we're doing this! Wow!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I learned something today! DD is in the Tot 1 class. She passed her test, I have no idea what test, but she passed and will now be in Tot 2. I asked if this was part of Learn to Skate and was told yes. So I'm happy, I think she is in the correct set of classes. I know so little about this sport and feel stupid about asking questions at he rink. I am so happy to have you experienced mom's to ask!

I hope everyone had great competitions today!

 

[Shells9]

Wow, this competition thing is very tiring!
She did well. She got 4th in solo because she totally rushed her program. For so long we told her she had to speed up, and she took it to heart and by gosh if she did not finish before the music did! Oh well, it was her first time in solo and she did well. She didn't get last, lol!
But, for elements, we got 1st place -- YEAH! Go, Emily!
No, she was not TOO proud, lol! It was not much of a contest for that one really, but it boosted her confidence beyond recognition, and she is all set to work hard for June & November (our next two competitions!)
I will post a link to the pics real soon. Thanks to everyone for all the advice!
The pics are here

 

[mum4jenn]

WOW!!! After reading all of this I am really glad we do not have ANY ice anywhere near here!!!!

 

[CarolA]

Congrats and Emily is so cute in those photos.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Congrats to Emily!!!

That's terrific and she looks so proud of herself standing up on that podium. I'm not surprised to hear that she finished up early on the freestyle event. I think it must be the adreniline or something, but I've definitely seen that happen alot. It takes time to learn, but eventually they'll match the elements to the music and know where they're supposed to be all the time. I'm just so happy that her first competition was a positive experience for her.

We just returned from the cast party at DS's skating show. It was a great event. Michael Weiss was incredible and Miki Ando was very graceful. DS had a blast, but it was an exhausting weekend. They had a full dress rehearsal on Friday night and then he was invited to see Starlight Express (it's touring in Boston) afterwards. We had to be up and at his soccer game by 9am Saturday morning and then straight to the show for two performances. The final one was today at 2pm followed by the cast party. They had food for the kids along with a DJ and a seperate lounge area for the adults with appetizers and drinks. Very nicely done, but now I'm ready for bed. I'm looking forward to being in work on Monday just so I can rest a bit.

Tammi

 

[Shells9]

Tammi,

Sounds like you all had a great time! What a nice weekend, but I totally hear you about being happy to be back to work! I for one am exhausted!

I, too, am glad DD had a great time. And she is looking forward to the next two.

I was a little surprised at how the judge's ratings varied. The girl who got 1st in Solo was rated 5 by one judge! DD got a 2nd, a 4th and a 5th and ended up 4th in that event. Is it common to see such a varience in scores???