They took a short break for lunch, then went back outside. Mr. Smith handed Savannah a length of green pine garland and some red velvet ribbons. Savannah tied one end of the garland to a post, then moved to the next post and did the same thing. When she was through, the rink was ringed with green and red. Satisfied, Savannah took a quick shower and dressed for skating. She was out on the ice when her first guests arrived. For the next hour, the Academy girls twirled, played tag, and helped each other up whenever someone fell down. Some of the parents joined them on the ice, but most preferred to stay inside, where it was warm. When the shadows started to lengthen, everyone else went inside, too. The girls grabbed some snacks, then gathered together in the living room and swapped gifts. Savannah was pleased to see that more than one girl traded the gift she’d opened for the bulb kit. Angela sat next to Savannah. “Everything looks great!” she said enthusiastically. “I love the decorations you put up around the rink.”
