Yeah, the ice would be fine right now after this damn cold snap!!
Reminds me of when I was younger.. used to invite friends over to skate on the lake behind my grandparents place.
One time, a few of the parents asked "is the ice safe?" (this was like the middle of february) and I said "yes". "Are you sure?" "Well, my grandfather says it safe and well, he knows these things." "Well, we don't want to send our kids over unless you check it.." FINE!
Run down to the lake and start hacking through.. finally get to the water. Stick my arm down just about to my armpit before I can wrap my fingers around the bottom of the ice..
Run back up and call the parents back.. "yeah, there's like 19 inches of ice.. that's enough to drive a tank on.. can your kids come over and skate now?"