Skate expectations

The Girl had no appetite today, and little energy, but with her usual stoicism she put a brave face on things and didn't seem so bad. When the idea of skating was mooted she was eager to give it a go, having never tried it before.

Off we all went to the YMCA ice rink, and quickly strapped on free-hire skates (ah, the perks of expensive membership!). The Boy declined, suggesting he would rather try next week, or perhaps when he's seven (in 2009) - though by bedtime he was thinking maybe tomorrow... Anyway, he was very happy to sit watching and waving from the bleachers with a packet of M&Ms for company. The rest of us wobbled round the perimeter of the rink, gradually gaining confidence and by the third circuit hardly flailing about at all. But by this point the Girl was beginning to flag, and in any case it was the end of the open skating session, so we left it at that.

As soon as we got home the Girl took herself off to bed and slept for an hour, then was demonstrably unwell before returning to bed. However when she emerged two hours later she was in fighting form and able to chase her brother all over the house.

How do they do it?