A different hockey experience

We are in the midst of a 20-day span during which we have just three days that don't involve a hockey practice or game for one or both of the kids. Last night was one of those three nights. So we celebrated. By going to a hockey game. 

It was a UMD Bulldogs hockey game, to be exact. But we weren't there just to watch the hockey game. It was a certain pre-game moment that was the highlight.

Sydney and the rest of the kindergartners at her school got to sing the National Anthem. That's her on the far right in the back row.

Here's a sample of how they sounded. To keep the file size small enough to upload, I'm only letting you hear the first half, before they tried to hit any of the high notes. You're welcome.

Our seats were right behind where the kids were standing, but thankfully I heard  another parent mentioning that the kids would have their backs to us, and so I walked to another area of the arena and asked an usher if I could stand in the aisle until the kids finished singing.

From that vantage point, I was able to catch some excited hockey fans who couldn't wait for the game to start.

As if he wasn't already enough of a die hard Bulldog's fan, getting to watch the game from what's normally the student section has sealed the deal. I'm pretty sure AJ is going to want to go to college at UMD just so he can again stand in the student section.

Since UMD students are still on winter break, the college knew the student section would be largely empty, and so let the kindergarten teachers reserve a huge block of tickets for all of the families. The bench seats weren't particularly comfortable, but the kids didn't mind. They wanted to stand - as close to the glass as possible.

There were enough older siblings among the crowd, that AJ had plenty of friends to hang out with. And that's how I noticed a big difference between kindergartners and second graders. If a particularly intense moment happened near where the kindergartners were standing, the kids would duck.

Whereas if it happened near the older kids, they would bang on the glass and cheer even louder.

It was a fun night for all, and simply an incredible opportunity for these kids. Certainly one they will never forget.