AT THE PLAYGROUND (THE REMIX): THIS IS JADA

Weird/awkward denoument to the playground episode today, we went to check out Prospect Park's outdoor ice rink not only because apparently Raul didn't know what ice skating was (yikes!), but also because the rink staff blasts really great commercial r&b out onto the ice. Anyways when we roll up into the locker area, who's there but the main girl in Raul's school crew: Jada. Dressed Saturday afternoon Brooklyn fresh and rocking her own white double-bladed ice skates from home. She was there skating with her big brother Jelani and two of her cousins.

It was one of those poignant defining moments in Raul the Jewel's young life, not only did he come across an entire scene previously unknown to him—the Saturday ice rink meet-up—but his girl Jada was right there up in it, stunting these crisp skates and prancing across the rubber mat flooring to greet him with more exuberance than he gets at 8:30am on the average Tuesday at school. Raul, just stunned into shock to find out this is the way the world works.

Suffice to say we'll be there tomorrow afternoon LACED UP. Jada won't be there, though; her mom told us she's got swimming lessons at the Y on Sundays.

Shout out to Jelani, who was a good helper at Raul's birthday party last fall. Also reviewing those bday pics in the archive it's apparent Jada has the whole appliquéd girl denim moment owned. So dont test.

UPDATE: We went back to the rink on Sunday—the last day the rink was open for the year!—and had a lot of fun. Just walking around on the skates in the locker area was a minor bugout for Raul, so just imagine when we hit the ice! Dad told Raul ahead of time that two things happen when you go ice skating 1) you fall; 2) your hands get cold when you fall. Turns out neither thing happened because it was really warm and Dad helped Raul the whole time...except when he had to show off on a few laps by himself. Some older boys were ice krumping like they were Johnny Weir x Chris Brown at Empire Roller Rink minus The Rapture and the old man had to get it crackin to rep BUFFALO NY SOUTHTOWNS WHAT. Anyways didn't take any pics because the camera battery was dead but Raul can tell you all about it. Can't wail til next year...although we might have to get some practice in this summer at Chelsea Piers.

Side note: what's with the rumors re: the Empire Roller Rink closing for good?