First pet mice -- not using the wheel

Question
Well, I'm 25 years old and have never had a pet so I figured I'd start off (relatively) easy, and I went for two female mice (all white, with those evil-looking red eyes... so cool). I ended up slurging on the whole she-bang: 10 gallon tank, bedding, hut, food, chews, treats, etc.
They seem to be adapting to the new environment pretty well -- No "chirping", they do just fine when I'm holding them, and they have yet to poop/pee on me!
However, they just can't seem to get the hang of the ball and/or wheel. If I try them in the ball, they start going one way and then seem to freak out when it starts rolling and jump back to the stationary position. They keep doing this for like 10 minutes at a time, every time.
As for the wheel inside the tank, they will walk up on the thing, but never go for a little jog in it. Am I missing something?
And just to keep good form, they're called Charlotte and Emily (No, not like the Bronte's... just a coincidence >.<)

Answer
Hi Joe,

Congrats on your new pets - mice really are great companions and they're wonderfully simple to care for!  :)

Some mice like the balls, and some don't; you can keep trying if you want to but they don't really need it.  I've had some mice that just never really liked it, but as long as they have a wheel they'll get their exercise in.  Speaking of the wheel - I'm pretty sure they'll get the hang of it eventually!  Just make sure it doesn't get stuck in the bedding or anything, and really does spin freely, and sooner or later they'll get the idea.  Once one of them discovers how it works, the other one will catch on, too.  :)

-Tam