'Tis the (hockey) season

This is pretty much a continuation of yesterday's post about how proud I am of Sydney. Sunday evening, hockey season officially began with the first practice for the Mite 1 and 2 teams. AJ was so excited that as we drove to the arena, he counted down the time based on the clock on the radio.

 

"Seventeen minutes until hockey starts... Only 16 more minutes until hockey starts... 15..."

 

"Enough! We get the idea!"

 

Sydney was a bit more cautious. She was concerned that her coaches might not like her. We assured her that as long as she did her best, she didn't have to worry about a thing.

 

And then we got to the rink and she saw a couple friends. And all fears were gone.

 

Sydney and Max

Sydney definitely did her best. As a rookie, she brings up the rear most of the time. But that doesn't seem to bother her. Watching her try to keep up with the other kids, some of whom have been skating for 2-3+ years, reminded me of my recent attempts to keep up with the rest of a fitness class at the Y. it just wasn't happening! But Sydney just keep trying.

 

How's this for an example of my little engine that could's toughness? I bet the kid she's pulling outweighed her by 15 pounds.

Here a short clip showing her form. There's not a lot of grace involved. She is powered by sheer determination.

 

 

So that's what was happening on Sydney's end of the rink. Meanwhile, on the far end of the ice (the end you can't see well from the heated spectator section, so you have to freeze to death in order to not appear to be favoring your younger child over your older one), Mr. Hockey was demonstrating how the seasoned veterans do it.

 

 

He also inadvertently showed why - as convenient as it is for Mom and Dad that he can pretty much get himself ready on his own - he's still not ready to be let out of the house without a final inspection. Note the hockey socks - one is upside down. That's the obvious mistake. The others that you can't see is the silver-dollar size hole in the heel of his regular socks, and the button-up dress shirt he's wearing underneath his pads and jersey. Guess who never bothered to change shirts when he got home from Sunday School.

 

At least they both remembered to go to the bathroom before getting their pads on.

 

AJ has sensed an opportunity in his sister's interest in hockey. He's been amazingly encouraging to her because he's figured out she now wants to play floor hockey with him at home.

 

What I find most encouraging is how excited Sydney was to return to practice tonight. She's having fun! She's also getting totally worn out. (AJ is too.) When the lights go out at bedtime, both kids are falling asleep in record time. Gotta love hockey!