Day 14: Couples Skate = Time to hide in the bathroom

Youth group Christmas parties.

There really isn't anything better.

Except a youth group Christmas party at the skating rink.

The junior high cherubs were asked to don their holiday sweaters, red, and green and join us for a fun-filled night of skating, all you can eat pizza, and awkward flirting. The kids were doing the flirting. Not the adults. That would be weird. And so wrong on so many levels. And it is indeed awkward. It's like watching a train wreck right before your eyes. Is he going to hold her hand while they skate? Will they share the blue slushy? It's incredibly entertaining. And sometimes painful. And the present skating drama coupled with the memories of junior high skating parties past makes for an ugly ending. I usually end up going home feeling worse about myself and spend the next 4 hours reliving the horrific fifth and sixth grade skating parties at the Sheldon skating rink. The horror! It haunts me still.

But enough about me...

There was lots of peace on earth at Lynden Skateway between the hours of 6-8:30 p.m. Except for when a fresh pizza was brought out. At that point it was every man for himself.

Photo bomb #1.

Party rockers in the house tonight!

Everybody just have a good time!

I was very appreciative of the music that had finally entered the 21st century. It helped subside the nightmarish memories that plagued me periodically throughout the evening.

My sixth grade girls. Funny how my small group picture resembles a class picture.

Could it be that I have as many girls in my "small group" as kids in my class?

Oy vey.

Not wanting to feel left out, some sixth grade boys insisted on a picture as well. I think they just wanted to impress some of my pretty ladies.

Me and my LC girls! And if you look carefully, Photo Bomber #2.

Sigh. No respect.

Come February 3, we leaders are taking all of these cherubs down to Great Wolf Lodge for the weekend. Assemble the elders! Let's begin the prayer vigil now.