New blog www.adventureswithaidan.org

Closing out this blog.  I can now be found at www.adventureswithaidan.org.

thanks!

This Is Travel Hockey!

Almost as if the mood and vibes of the parents had enshrouded them, Aidan's team has not been doing very well lately.  In fact, a week ago, they had an extra practice on Sunday afternoon, after a disastrous game against one of our rival teams.  Their coach was so upset with them, he actually yelled at them, something he has sworn not to do.  He worked them really hard at that extra practice.  In fact, it seemed like a scene out of the movie "Miracle."

Blue line back, red line back, blue line back.  Again!  Again!  Again!  Over and over and over.  Those boys were some kind of tuckered out when they came off the ice!  But they were listening and really paying attention to him.

I could almost hear Aidan's first travel hockey coach, "This is travel hockey!  If this is not what you signed up for, you need to get off the ice!"  Yes, it was harsh.

But, in a good way.

Yesterday, the boys played a team in Odenton, Maryland.  It's an hour and a half drive from here.  I always have to think about that because it just kills me to drive three hours round trip for an hour game.

We arrived an hour early, as requested.  Our boys did their pre-game warm up and then came out to watch a little football on TV.  Actually, someones cell phone. . .

They were very cute.

But, I don't mind telling you, this mama was some kind of nervous!  I kept pacing and I was fidgety.  One of the other moms is a physical therapist and she offered me a message to help calm me!  She has an older boy on this club so she's been here before.

Finally, the boys went in for their pre-game talk with the coach.  And then they took the ice.  Their warm up drills looked good. . .

Don't you love our new goalie????  He's huge!!!  He's going to be an awesome addition to our team!!!

And then the game started. . .butterflies in my stomach and prayers on my lips, I watched as my baby came out and went after the puck, dug for the puck, worked his legs and his mind and scored the first goal of the game!!!

After that, the flood gates opened, and our boys were on a rampage.  The final score was 15-0.  Aidan did score a second goal and came off the ice smiling like crazy.

This is right after the final buzzer.  Our goalie had left the net and the puck went in.  Our boys stormed the ref to be sure it didn't count.  It didn't!!

Aidan was so happy, he waved up at me!  I was so proud of him!!!

What a difference a week makes.  I'm so glad for these boys.  They were really getting down about things and that was affecting their play even further.

Today, the coach emailed telling everyone he wan'ts to work with the A2 team alone on Tuesday and the A1 team alone on Thursday this week.  They all will also work on Wednesday as usual.  This means one less practice this week, but more individualized coaching on the one day  for each team.  When I read the message to Aidan, he gave me a frowny face and said, "But I like practice!"  Okay then.  His coach has not worked him too hard.  Yet!

Have a great week!

Turning The Page

Do you ever feel like you're trying to turn the page on things and that page just won't turn?

We lost our goalie yesterday.  All because of the strong tempers and people just wanting to assert their own power.  There are rules and there are rules.  Our little boys are members of the USA Hockey League.  Our boys' team is also a part of USAHL.  USAHL has rules that our team has to abide by.  Our team is actually a club that also has club rules.  We broke a rule.  Minor and nothing to really get worked up over--turned out they weren't mad at us and would have approved the Mites on Ice had we asked.  But, one parent decided he didn't like how it all went down and we lost our goalie over it.  I'm tired of this issue now.  It's been a week and every time I thought it was over, it flared even hotter.  And now I have to try and find a way to explain to my son that his team has a different goalie. . .one he has never played with before.

We need to turn the page on this, people!  Come on!!

Okay, but before I make that page turning final, I have to share a couple of pictures from that night. . .

Checking things out. . .see Slapshot??  Some of the boys were so little!!!

Aidan got the puck and took off with it!
But, now this is in the past and we're moving on. . .his team will learn to move forward and they will re-gel.  They are cute. . .

These are the two Aidan's.  There is also a Caden and now our new goalie is Hayden.  Poor Coach!!

With all of this drama, I have found that I miss my mom even more than I ever would have imagined.  I can't just pick up the phone and call her to chat.  My sisters have been awesome and listen attentively--and I know they sigh and say they are glad they don't have to deal with all this team drama anymore. . .but they listen and I appreciate that.

So, in an effort to turn the page, we did some home family things yesterday.  For the first time in forever, too!

It's fair weekend in Waterford.  I didn't walk around as much as I usually do.  It was misty and muddy.  But, I did make it to the Corner Store and bought some goodies to bring home.  I stopped in to see if the local map maker had any new maps. . .not this time.  And then I got my lunch and went back to my desk.  Hopefully the weather will be better next year.  But, this meant I didn't even use my tickets!  I've offered them up to the families on the team if they want them.

I ran into one of Aidan's former coaches on my brief time at the fair.  I guess he and his family live in Waterford.  I didn't know that!

When I got home, we decided to walk into town for dinner.  Even though rain was threatening, we walked down and had Chinese--our local restaurant has a Gluten Free menu and carries the Gluten Free soy sauce.  Yeah!!!!  Then, because it was First Friday in Leesburg, there were musicians and tastings all over town.  So we walked and looked and chatted and had a really nice time.  And the rain held off until we got home!

We were home in time to watch the Season Premier of Last Man Standing, during which I watched the backs of my eyelids more than the show!  And then went to bed at 9:00.

This morning I feel rested and ready for the weekend.  Aidan and I are going to see the Box Trolls today at Cobb and then he has a game in Haymarket tomorrow followed by a practice in Ashburn.

We're turning the page. . .

Have a great weekend!