On the way to Winwood camp this morning, Aidan said:
Daddy is doing his boss' job this week cuz he's on vacation. That means he has to do his job AND his boss' job. I think he'll get extra credit for that!
Love that kid!!! I've been smiling all day and chuckling over that one!!!
Friday, June 27, 2014
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Hollydell and Philadelphia
Well, we did another tournament this past weekend. It was in New Jersey, although we actually stayed in Philadelphia. . .in a very bad hotel. . .which the Sheraton will hear about from me! With pictures. . . Really bad. . .
Anyway, we weren't there about the hotel. We were there about our awesome boys!
They played a total of five games. 2 games on Friday, both were wins; 2 games on Saturday--one of which was a Semi Final Game at 8:00 pm!!, and again both were wins. In fact, the Semi Final Game was stopped within the first minute of the third period because our boys had gotten up by 10 points. . .I like this rule. . .and then they played the Final game, against the home team of Hollydell . . .and lost by one point. . .which was scored in the final 30 seconds of the game. . .talk about a heart breaker!
The boys all played very well. They could pass more and use the skills they have been practicing more, but they played very very well. Aidan played Defense this weekend because the team was short on D. He has never played D before, aside from the short little shifts on House League. And he has never ever practiced D before. I was very pleasantly surprised! Really did well!
And we did more while on this trip than just hockey. We actually made it into the city to see some sites!
We got incredibly lucky and found street parking just a block away from Independence Hall right by Washington Square. Two hours for less than $5.00!
And now we're at camps. After a long tiring weekend, I was glad Aidan had Winwood camp this week. And yet, with Cold Rush early Tuesday morning and Xtreme practice late Tuesday night, my baby is still a very tired boy!!
Hoping he can sleep in and sleep long this weekend. . . I think we're all ready for some down time. . .
Next week will be Hockey Camp. . .and then two weeks of Ida Lee Camp. . .and then he will be off two weeks, one with Daddy and one for a family vacation. The week Aidan is off with Daddy, I'll be heading west to help my older sister pack up my moms house and put it all in storage. I'll then spend a couple of days visiting with my mom. Things don't look good there, and there's a lot of emotion involved, but I'll share that some other time.
Have a great rest of the week and enjoy your weekend!
Anyway, we weren't there about the hotel. We were there about our awesome boys!
They played a total of five games. 2 games on Friday, both were wins; 2 games on Saturday--one of which was a Semi Final Game at 8:00 pm!!, and again both were wins. In fact, the Semi Final Game was stopped within the first minute of the third period because our boys had gotten up by 10 points. . .I like this rule. . .and then they played the Final game, against the home team of Hollydell . . .and lost by one point. . .which was scored in the final 30 seconds of the game. . .talk about a heart breaker!
The boys all played very well. They could pass more and use the skills they have been practicing more, but they played very very well. Aidan played Defense this weekend because the team was short on D. He has never played D before, aside from the short little shifts on House League. And he has never ever practiced D before. I was very pleasantly surprised! Really did well!
And we did more while on this trip than just hockey. We actually made it into the city to see some sites!
We got incredibly lucky and found street parking just a block away from Independence Hall right by Washington Square. Two hours for less than $5.00!
This is the backside of Independence Hall. . .The is a great patriot named Barry. . .I am not sure who he is, but will look him up!! As you can see, Aidan was wearing a jacket. It was actually pretty cool that morning!
The front of Independence Hall. . .from where the original Liberty Bell is now housed. Aidan did see the Liberty Bell, from the outside. The line was wrapped around the building so we didn't go in. . .Next time!!
We took a Carriage Ride and saw several very interesting buildings: This is the house, about two blocks from Independence Hall, that was where Jefferson lived and wrote the Declaration of Independence. At the time, it was on the outskirts of town. . .and is currently at the center of a huge Metropolis!
This is the facade of the building of the first Fire Insurance Company in America, founded by Benjamin Franklin, as Aidan found that most things were, according to our Carriage driver. . .I thought this was interesting for two reasons: I work for a small Mutual Insurance Company and our logo is an old pumper Fire apparatus that was invented and designed by George Washington. . .and this facade is right in front of a very modern building. Love how they kept the old feel while going modern!
As I said, we parked right next to Washington Square. This is a park where thousands of Revolutionary soldiers were buried in unmarked graves. Then, at the back of the park, is this eternal flame dedicating the site to all those who have fought for freedom and liberty. Love it!!
After this, we had to get back for Aidan's game. And guess what??? We had visitors to our game! The Jackson's came over to watch and then we all headed out to dinner. . .Aidan and Landon were very cute together and I couldn't resist getting a picture of our two goofy Russians. . .
Ethan, whom I did not get a picture of, is also adorable!! Liz and Greg were so fun and now that we know we go up there a few times a year, we'll likely get together again!
So, that's it on tournaments until fall. . .the boys had a practice last night--where Aidan practiced at Center and at D! (what no winger?) and one more on Saturday morning and then we're done with DC Elite. We'll be focusing our attention from here on out on Xtreme. . .
And now we're at camps. After a long tiring weekend, I was glad Aidan had Winwood camp this week. And yet, with Cold Rush early Tuesday morning and Xtreme practice late Tuesday night, my baby is still a very tired boy!!
Next week will be Hockey Camp. . .and then two weeks of Ida Lee Camp. . .and then he will be off two weeks, one with Daddy and one for a family vacation. The week Aidan is off with Daddy, I'll be heading west to help my older sister pack up my moms house and put it all in storage. I'll then spend a couple of days visiting with my mom. Things don't look good there, and there's a lot of emotion involved, but I'll share that some other time.
Have a great rest of the week and enjoy your weekend!
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Connecticut Tournament
Well, we have had our first full ice, all the rules apply tournament behind us. The boys did fantastic! So proud of them. This is a group of boys pulled together from three rival teams and they became a team themselves this weekend.
The coaches from the big rival of Ashburn were on the sidelines (dads of a couple of the boys) and they were a huge help in talking to the boys and working with them off the ice. It's unfortunate that the coach the organizer of this team sent didn't know our boys nor did he seem to care to get to know them. . .but that's a whole 'nother story, my friends.
Just saying one more quick thing about the organizers. . .they have had our money since February and yet we still had to provide our own socks and the boys had to wear a plain white jersey. The names were on them, but the letters were peeling off after one game. So frustrating. . .
Anyway, back to how the boys did. . .they have only practiced a couple of times using the off sides rules and face off rules. They have the break outs down really well. If we can get all the players to stay in their own position, they will be really really good!!
Bottom line: These boys will be ready for full ice full rules hockey next year when they move up to Squirts.
The dark smudge at the far edge on the horizon is Long Island. I was so glad it stopped raining! All Aidan wanted to do was hang out outside on his off time.
After this we went back to the hotel and then walked a couple blocks to a place called Remo's. We sat outside and ate our meal. Perfect! Wonderful food. Highly recommend the place: Remo's in Stamford, Connecticut.
The boys won 2 and lost 3. But the losses were all by 1 point and were hard back and forth battles. The teams they played have been playing together since last fall--on full ice, with all the rules. I think our boys did awesome.
Next up, the Gatorade Challenge at Hollydell in New Jersey. And then we'll be done with tournaments until fall!!
Oh, and by the way? Schools out!!!! Yeah!!!!!
The coaches from the big rival of Ashburn were on the sidelines (dads of a couple of the boys) and they were a huge help in talking to the boys and working with them off the ice. It's unfortunate that the coach the organizer of this team sent didn't know our boys nor did he seem to care to get to know them. . .but that's a whole 'nother story, my friends.
Just saying one more quick thing about the organizers. . .they have had our money since February and yet we still had to provide our own socks and the boys had to wear a plain white jersey. The names were on them, but the letters were peeling off after one game. So frustrating. . .
Anyway, back to how the boys did. . .they have only practiced a couple of times using the off sides rules and face off rules. They have the break outs down really well. If we can get all the players to stay in their own position, they will be really really good!!
Bottom line: These boys will be ready for full ice full rules hockey next year when they move up to Squirts.
In the locker room with the boys. . .
Waiting to go on the ice. . .
Aidan on a break away!!!
We had one game at this ice house. . .you can see the building, right? That is a marina in between me and the building. This location was awesome!! It was at a cove which was on Long Island Sound. We had some free time, so we came back here for a little sit in the sand and wade in the Sound time. Perfect and it was a lovely afternoon!
After this we went back to the hotel and then walked a couple blocks to a place called Remo's. We sat outside and ate our meal. Perfect! Wonderful food. Highly recommend the place: Remo's in Stamford, Connecticut.
The boys won 2 and lost 3. But the losses were all by 1 point and were hard back and forth battles. The teams they played have been playing together since last fall--on full ice, with all the rules. I think our boys did awesome.
Next up, the Gatorade Challenge at Hollydell in New Jersey. And then we'll be done with tournaments until fall!!
Oh, and by the way? Schools out!!!! Yeah!!!!!
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Silly Kids and Scary Story
This past weekend was a nice one. Saturday, the weather was perfect. We were able to sit on the porch most of the afternoon and then again after dinner. It was perfect. Dinner and Sweet Frogs with friends in Purcellville and our day was complete.
Sunday was much warmer and more humid, but still a nice day. We had some more friends come over for the afternoon. We had planned to go to the pool, but we began to hear some rumbles in the air. Thinking the pool would likely close once the thunder was heard, we decided to take the kiddos to Sweet Frogs (yes, we love this place!) for a treat and then see how things went.
Since it still wasn't the greatest, although the storm had not hit us, we decided to hang out on the porch and let the kids run through the sprinkler. So much fun!
Earlier in the day, I had noticed that I had two pictures of Aidan and Catherine together on my Aidan wall going down to the basement. One was when Aidan was two and Catherine was one. It was Aidan's first ever playdate. So cute!!! The other one was of at the Horse and Colt show in Upperville a few years ago. The kids had their hats and sunglasses on and looked precious: Aidan was four and Catherine was three. So, I decided it was time to get some new pictures of these two ragamuffins. . .now that they are eight and seven. . .
They have so much fun together, these two. : ) I love these two!
The only fly in the ointment of our weekend was that my mom has taken a very major turn for the worse. She is back in the hospital and will be moved to long term care either today or tomorrow. She somehow fell and hit her head. I think there is likely a concussion. I was very concerned about her yesterday as her speech was slurred. I had talked to her on Friday and on Saturday evening, so I'm not sure when this happened. The scary part is that she fell in the garage. Her friend found her early Sunday morning. . .thank goodness as it was going to be well over 100 in Las Vegas that day!
Bottom line is that she can not live alone any longer. My older sister is going there this weekend to get her house packed up and then moved into storage near her. She has set up a place for mom at an Assisted Living place also near her. Amy hired a cleaning service to do a deep clean and we're getting the finances situated to pay her bills automatically. The house and car will be sold and the attorney will be contacted to get the power of attorney. It's all very sad and I really wish she had listened to us about moving closer to one of us sooner. But, now we have to take the action for her.
Prayers for my mom are needed.
Sunday was much warmer and more humid, but still a nice day. We had some more friends come over for the afternoon. We had planned to go to the pool, but we began to hear some rumbles in the air. Thinking the pool would likely close once the thunder was heard, we decided to take the kiddos to Sweet Frogs (yes, we love this place!) for a treat and then see how things went.
Since it still wasn't the greatest, although the storm had not hit us, we decided to hang out on the porch and let the kids run through the sprinkler. So much fun!
Earlier in the day, I had noticed that I had two pictures of Aidan and Catherine together on my Aidan wall going down to the basement. One was when Aidan was two and Catherine was one. It was Aidan's first ever playdate. So cute!!! The other one was of at the Horse and Colt show in Upperville a few years ago. The kids had their hats and sunglasses on and looked precious: Aidan was four and Catherine was three. So, I decided it was time to get some new pictures of these two ragamuffins. . .now that they are eight and seven. . .
The only fly in the ointment of our weekend was that my mom has taken a very major turn for the worse. She is back in the hospital and will be moved to long term care either today or tomorrow. She somehow fell and hit her head. I think there is likely a concussion. I was very concerned about her yesterday as her speech was slurred. I had talked to her on Friday and on Saturday evening, so I'm not sure when this happened. The scary part is that she fell in the garage. Her friend found her early Sunday morning. . .thank goodness as it was going to be well over 100 in Las Vegas that day!
Bottom line is that she can not live alone any longer. My older sister is going there this weekend to get her house packed up and then moved into storage near her. She has set up a place for mom at an Assisted Living place also near her. Amy hired a cleaning service to do a deep clean and we're getting the finances situated to pay her bills automatically. The house and car will be sold and the attorney will be contacted to get the power of attorney. It's all very sad and I really wish she had listened to us about moving closer to one of us sooner. But, now we have to take the action for her.
Prayers for my mom are needed.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Wrapping Up School, Seasons, and Heading into Summer
Tryouts are finished and Aidan made the team. . .in fact, all the usual suspects made it. There are a couple of surprises, but nothing major. It's going to be a very good team and a lot of fun. We'll take Aidan to get fitted for his new uniform on the 16th and hand in our paperwork and our money. So exciting!! Practices will start in August--possibly sooner and then exhibition games in September. The season will begin in early November with about 20 games and 4 tournaments.
The Elite team has continued. These boys, which include the above mentioned usual suspects, are really working hard and learning so much! It's amazing to see them making moves that aren't usually taught until kids are 14 or 15. So cool! I do think the coach of this team is a bit of an egomaniac, but he is teaching the boys some great skills. Our first tournament is coming up in Stamford, Connecticut. Aidan will miss the last day of school for that one.
One of the moms sent me a picture sequence of Aidan from the last tournament. It's fun to look at. . .at least for me, the mom. . .
If you look closely, you can see the blue puck in the middle top of the net in the first picture and then slightly lower in the second picture. I did feel sorry for this team as this was the scene for much of the game. . .
There's just one week left of school. . .yippee!!! Our evenings will no longer be spent rushing to get homework done and preparing for the next day. We'll still be preparing for the next day, but no more homework!!!!I do want to say that Aidan will still work on his reading and math skills over the summer. . .just not every night! : )
Last weekend was the car show. Pat showed his '73 Corvette in downtown Leesburg. This show is a lot of fun. The boys go and line up with everyone else showing cars and then they parade into town and park along the streets, which are closed off to through traffic. Once in place, Pat calls me and I walk down to meet them--The Corvette only seats two and I can't not let Aidan go!! We then walk around and look at all the cool cars. We stopped in at Kings Court Tavern and had dinner, which was very good and a decent price to boot. And, as luck would have it, our waiter's mother has Celiac so he was really on it on making sure I was Gluten Free! So awesome!!
Our neighbor showed his Mustang and was set up right next to Pats 'vette. So wish I was not in the picture!!! Yeesh, this Gluten Free diet is making it really hard to lose weight!! : )
Speaking of the Gluten Free world. . .I had a follow up blood test at the beginning of May and then went to see the Dr. for the results. He was very very pleased. He said my blood work shows that I am about 95% free of all glutens. . .already!! He said my numbers were so low that if he didn't know I had Celiac he would not have known. He said I was doing very good! : ) Yeah me!!! Usually, it takes about 6 months to 2 years to get all of the gluten out of your system, so I am really doing all the right things. Now we're trying to boost my vitamin deficiencies. I am still taking the Iron supplement -boo, hiss!! and I have to take 2000mg of Vitamin D daily, plus a mega blaster of Vitamin D once a week and Calcium and B12. I'll get tested again in October to see how my vitamin levels are doing. The doctor did say that my weight gain (currently about 7 or 8 pounds) is absolutely normal and is due to my body now absorbing everything which it wasn't before. This is a good thing, he says, and will stabilize and get easier for me to deal with with time. I am just to concentrate on staying gluten free, get exercise and regular sleep (yeah right on the sleep part!!). Overall, I have to say I feel so much better! I had no idea I wasn't feeling well. So, this is all good!
The pool opened Memorial Day weekend and I finally made it last weekend for a couple of hours with Aidan. . .no pictures of me in a bathing suit. I promise. No one wants to see that!!! But, here's one of Aidan right before I convinced him it was time to go home. . .do his lips look blue to you??? That water was freezing!!!!
He had the shivers so bad at one point, I wrapped him up in both of our towels and set him in the sun to warm up!! He loves it, though, and was still a little mad at me for taking him home! : )
Well, that's about it. We're heading into summer time, summer camps, thunder storms and vacations. It's going to be a lot of fun!!!
Have a good weekend.
The Elite team has continued. These boys, which include the above mentioned usual suspects, are really working hard and learning so much! It's amazing to see them making moves that aren't usually taught until kids are 14 or 15. So cool! I do think the coach of this team is a bit of an egomaniac, but he is teaching the boys some great skills. Our first tournament is coming up in Stamford, Connecticut. Aidan will miss the last day of school for that one.
One of the moms sent me a picture sequence of Aidan from the last tournament. It's fun to look at. . .at least for me, the mom. . .
If you look closely, you can see the blue puck in the middle top of the net in the first picture and then slightly lower in the second picture. I did feel sorry for this team as this was the scene for much of the game. . .
There's just one week left of school. . .yippee!!! Our evenings will no longer be spent rushing to get homework done and preparing for the next day. We'll still be preparing for the next day, but no more homework!!!!I do want to say that Aidan will still work on his reading and math skills over the summer. . .just not every night! : )
Last weekend was the car show. Pat showed his '73 Corvette in downtown Leesburg. This show is a lot of fun. The boys go and line up with everyone else showing cars and then they parade into town and park along the streets, which are closed off to through traffic. Once in place, Pat calls me and I walk down to meet them--The Corvette only seats two and I can't not let Aidan go!! We then walk around and look at all the cool cars. We stopped in at Kings Court Tavern and had dinner, which was very good and a decent price to boot. And, as luck would have it, our waiter's mother has Celiac so he was really on it on making sure I was Gluten Free! So awesome!!
Our neighbor showed his Mustang and was set up right next to Pats 'vette. So wish I was not in the picture!!! Yeesh, this Gluten Free diet is making it really hard to lose weight!! : )
Speaking of the Gluten Free world. . .I had a follow up blood test at the beginning of May and then went to see the Dr. for the results. He was very very pleased. He said my blood work shows that I am about 95% free of all glutens. . .already!! He said my numbers were so low that if he didn't know I had Celiac he would not have known. He said I was doing very good! : ) Yeah me!!! Usually, it takes about 6 months to 2 years to get all of the gluten out of your system, so I am really doing all the right things. Now we're trying to boost my vitamin deficiencies. I am still taking the Iron supplement -boo, hiss!! and I have to take 2000mg of Vitamin D daily, plus a mega blaster of Vitamin D once a week and Calcium and B12. I'll get tested again in October to see how my vitamin levels are doing. The doctor did say that my weight gain (currently about 7 or 8 pounds) is absolutely normal and is due to my body now absorbing everything which it wasn't before. This is a good thing, he says, and will stabilize and get easier for me to deal with with time. I am just to concentrate on staying gluten free, get exercise and regular sleep (yeah right on the sleep part!!). Overall, I have to say I feel so much better! I had no idea I wasn't feeling well. So, this is all good!
The pool opened Memorial Day weekend and I finally made it last weekend for a couple of hours with Aidan. . .no pictures of me in a bathing suit. I promise. No one wants to see that!!! But, here's one of Aidan right before I convinced him it was time to go home. . .do his lips look blue to you??? That water was freezing!!!!
Well, that's about it. We're heading into summer time, summer camps, thunder storms and vacations. It's going to be a lot of fun!!!
Have a good weekend.
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