It takes a 叔叔

We went ice skating again this afternoon. We hadn't made arrangements to meet up with anyone, but we still were not surprised to find one of Myles' friends and his father already there as they enjoy being out on the ice. While I was adjusting Myles' skates, the friend's dad, who Brigid affectionally calls 叔叔 (shushu or Uncle), happily escorted Brigid onto the ice. I had left them alone for only a few minutes when Brigid had a surprise for me. She was standing on the ice without holding on to anything. 叔叔 reminded her a few times "蹲蹲" (dundun or squat) and she skated slowly away from him. He stayed close behind her, but she was skating on her own.



I was perfectly satisfied to let her push an ice chair the rest of this winter. As far as I was concerned, she was on her skates, and that was enough for me. It took her slightly less protective 叔叔 to show her (and especially me) that she was ready now.