for the kids

[drich1020]

I'm curious. Do you guys build your rinks just for your kids, or are you and some other adults on there playing some shinny too?

[Joe]

Rule of thumb: if your wife asks, it's for the kids. But if you don't sneak in some rink time for yourself, you're missing out.

[drich1020]

Yes for sure. Wife is all for it, wants to have our daughter's 8th bday party at the house as a skating party with bon-fire.

I'm just concerned with the strength of the ice. In theory should we be able to get some adults on there or is too much weight an issue?

[kevmac]

It always starts off as a project for the kids, but everyone knows that we do it for more than the kids. Especially when it's a beautiful cold sunny afternoon and the cell phone starts going crazy with phone calls and text messages. I can assure you that it isn't Dads or Moms asking if their kids can come over for a skate. Hours later, the driveway/road is blocked with parked cars, a bonfire is burning out back and the snowbanks look like a beer porcupine. Keep telling yourself it's just for the kids, someone will eventually believe you; it sure as heck won't be your wife though.

Kevin

[Joe]

As long as there's no water seepage around the edges of the rink, you're good. I can only think of a couple days in my 6+ years of doing this where we had to keep the adults off the rink while the kids skated. Cold weather cures all of that.

[MLeslie347]

Although I love having the neighborhood kids and friends' kids over to skate, my wife and I don't have any children, so honestly, all of the work on the rink is basically for me to screw around and burn off some calories over the winter.

Frequently have passers-by stop and ask how old our kids are. They always react with a somewhat perplexed look on their face when, without missing a beat, my wife replies: "40".

[kevmac]

Yes, my wife has 3 children in her house on most days: 11, 13 and 44. On weekends, the number of 30 & 40 year old children increases depending on the weather. Although in recent years, I have found that she has abandoned the older ones and let them fend for themselves.

[drich1020]

These are some great responses. I love it. I'm really hoping my rink works out and I get my dad and brother on the rink for some shinny.