Skating has become an option in Costa Rica. Busy streets, no bike paths, and rather reckless drivers make skating and biking a not-so-attractive option in most urban areas. For some reason, we now have several options - seems skating has become hot - que chiva. One is free, as I’ve written about before in la Sabana park, the other is a rather expensive choice in Multiplaza in Escazú.

At 3500 colones (about $7.00) for fifteen minutes, that makes for a pretty pricey activity. Yet when summer vacation hits, it helps to have something to break up the “I’m so bored” chanting that begins right after school lets out.

Coco’s hit the rink for her second try, and I was impressed. She got the hang of it pretty quickly and fell only 1/4 of the time instead of 3/4 of the time.

As I watched her turn flush as she skittered from side to side in search of that railing to hold on to. I couldn’t help but think how often we fall every day and how we have to pull ourselves up. But you know what? We generally do. We should give ourselves a pat on the back, but not for too long because the next fall is just one step away.

After an influx of funds, La Sabana park in San José got a splashy new look. Buildings are painted, paths are better marked, and the hardest to believe is the new roller blade rink.

The kids and I were able to push Addy’s bike on a smooth path (that’s new too) over to the rink to watch. In the middle, there’s a place to just putz around on skates - patines - and fall gracely, or not so gracefully, as one likes.

On the outer rim, there’s a track. Watching people zip around on it was like something from a movie. Parent’s were cheering on the side - and it was only practice.

Addy was ready to jump in, but we’re scheduling that exciting event for a few years down the road. And the one time Coco tried roller skating, I got some pretty serious bruises. I think they’ll both wait. But, we’ll be back to watch. That’s for sure.

We’ve removed all the contents of our suitcases and promptly have deposited them on my sister’s basement floor. Thrilled not to be anywhere near an airport, we settle into the routine of “visiting” (one of our favorite Midwest words). This “visiting” tradition is more important to me this year than I can ever remember.

Traveling with kids has always meant I get to do less of what the grown-up me would like to do. And, I’ve learned to be content with zoos and playgrounds and cutting short all my trips to these delicious coffee shops due to an almost, death-like boredom that overtakes my children as they wait for me to finish typing. But this year, I am so content and relaxed and almost - dare I say it - thrilled to wile away the hours on the deck with the kids or trying to again straighten all those clothes on the floor. And when I try again and again to connect to the Internet and that $5.00 Starbucks card I just bought isn’t working and Addison wants nothing to do with the FREEZING interior and groovy decor, I pack up and move on. I may have said a few “bad” words under my breath as I folded the stroller into the back seat, but over it I got. And so quickly. I even amazed myself.

I owe this peace to my kids. I owe this peace to my family. These people who put up with all my goofy odds and ends. I sat across the table yesterday at Caribou coffee (where I later found out had FREE internet!) and saw the same blue eyes of a dear friend behind those slightly tinted glasses I’d known for years. After ten years, he still thinks I’m an O.K. person. And I am grateful I can be his friend again. We really always have been. Those ten years, well, I guess we all have gaps. A little filling in, and we were back to those carefree nights -the ones we used to spend as kids -playing ping pong and skating and just being. Funny it took me such a darned long time to get back to just being all over again. And this time, I have more. I owe my peace to it ALL: from the green peas Addison just slopped on to my lap top to the long summer nights and to all the hearts, and to all the hearts.