Well our Christmas Break got off to a banner start. Ryan had a game on Friday against Batdorf. Whoa! Talk about a spirited game. The refs were not the best. We scored one, the ref wasn't looking, the puck goes in, the linesman blows the whistle and the ref blows the goal off!!!WTF!!! Oh, well. We also got three penalties. The Elbow call was a good call, but the cross-check? 10 minutes, are you serious? One- No 19 put his arm out and shoved the kid...Two- he did not lift his stick and hit the kid from behind and Three- 10 minutes, really!?! We lost 2-0 this time. Ryan was all over it! He let one in the first, one in the second and shut them out in the third. Bat kept yelling in the third, "We gotta win this period!" Ryan came off the ice and proudly told coach, " I guess they didn't win the third." He can be a snarky little crapper.

Joey's team really looked great. We lost 5-2, but it was a great game. They kids really played position well. Joey made some awesome saves and tried really hard to keep the team in the game. He was so happy and exclaimed, " Mom, we finally scored...TWICE!" I think we can beat this team next time we play.

After hockey Jay took the boys to Defiance for some sledding at Uncle Jim's. Jim has a great plot of land right along the Maumee. Of course it was rather icy, but Jay let them sled anyway. Joey is as light as a feather. There is nothing to him and he goes whipping down the hill- straight towards the bank. Jay is at the bottom of the hill and has to have a diving save to get Joey off the sled before it goes in the water...I guess Jay forgot he's not young anymore and BAM!Jay felt a rip and snap and pop + extreme pain. He couldn't even move his leg! Poor Ryan had to call me on the phone to tell me what was going on. Uncle Jim and Jon had to get the truck down the hill and try to help Jay in it.

The back on his thigh is black and blue and purple- ugly! He can hardly walk. The funniest thing was this morning Jay had me find some of his old medical books- but none of them had anything to do with Orthopedics. He's a General Surgeon and a Trauma one to boot. Had he been shot or stabbed or had some sort of abdominal pain he could have helped himself. We had to go on WebMd to see what was going on. Looks like a really bad torn hamstring right now. He is going to call one of the ER docs tomorrow to see who is on Ortho and see if they can check him out before he has to go into work on Tues. Yes, my husband will go into work. This is the man who had his bicep torn from a point of attachment a few years back and was operating week later- after his own surgery. Jay will go into to work sick- he's nuts! Jay was laughing about how he mocked football players who had the same injury and had to be carried off of the field, "I didn't think it hurt that much. Guess I was wrong, huh?" No shit! He is miserable and will skip doing rounds tomorrow. I have no idea how he is going to manage on Tues. 24 hours on call and General Surg call to boot- he nuts! Mom and dad came up this Am to help out with the kids who had hockey clinics and brought up some first aid stuff we didn't have.

Ah well.

Wow! I have now performed Handel's Messiah for the fifth time. Every time is different with new challenges and accomplishments. This year "Lift up your heads, Oh Ye gates..." gave the biggest challenge. Usually I nail the second soprano part, but for some reason "the lord strong and mighty" gave some grief. I had a blast hitting that high A and B this year. Last year I could hardle breath and got pneumonia after the show- not fun. I love this piece- it is magnificent and such a challenge to sing. My breath control is getting better and I am almost able to make through some of the longer runs and not get to winded. I wanted to work on my breathing this year and working on getting my pitch better- I did, for the most part.

Mom and dad finally made it! Joey went too! He gave up sledding at Nonnie Lonnie's for this- God love him! I was so happy they came and Joey said he loved it. His favorite was " For unto us a child is born. " I thought he would like the Hallelujah Chorus better. Dad was blown away. He couldn't believe how great we were. It's a pity, the people of Toledo have no idea what a great symphony they have and a great choral group. There is so much talent here.

It was a great night and I still have a voice left!

Jay has been up all night coughing his brains out. He is so sick, but he still went hunting- which made it worse I think and tonight he will be working up at the lake. Can you say, "Crazy"?

Ryan had a banner night last night. His team was incredible! What a game!!! Ryan took 24 shots and shut them out!!! He stopped every breakaway that came at him- 5. His best save was a wrap-around shot. The other team shot and he deflected it and then while he was out of position they tried to bring it around. His neck swiveled so fast and he whipped around- sliding across the crease with his pads...He got right up against the post and close the hole and stopped it! It was something you would see on TV! I have never seen Ryan play this intense. Our whole team was working together. You could tell they put thought into every play. Heads up hockey, clear passes...talk about teamwork. The defense was a wall and our offense was so on target! WAY TO GO BLADES!!!

Messiah is coming up on Sunday. So far I still have my voice and it is strong, but my throat feels scratchy- thanks, Jay- luv ya! I hope I can stay well until Monday. After that, I don't care what happens.

I am so tired with school and sick kids/hubby- now I am off to help out in Josh's class.

Winter has arrived. I'm cold and the drive is icy. I hate Ohio! Poor Ryan's windows were frosty this morning- I want new windows. Don't know why, but I feel like complaining today.

Josh's team lost their first game- it was a heart breaker. Josh got an assist, however. Our goalie was one of our top scorers and he didn't fare to well. Josh took himself off the rotation- thank goodness!

Now- time to clean the house and put away the laundry. I hate house work!

Well, we (Choral Society) had our Community Outreach Concert yesterday. It wasn't a bad turn out. The pews were full of parishoners, I am guessing. We performed at a quaint Lutheran Church with great wooden beams and a baptismal font right in the middle. It was lovely and the acoustics were awesome for such a small space. We did 10 peices from Messiah. There was this lady in the front row who sang along with us. After we did the Hallelujah Chorus she exclaimed rather loudly, "AMEN!". The cutest thing was the little boy dancing and conducting in the asile. After, we did a lullaby "Black Sheep" and a spiritual "Down By the Riverside"- I love that one! We had the congregation sing with us. It was great. They were standing and clapping along.

Hopefully I can keep my voice going. I have been banishing myself to the score box at the kids' games. Ryan had a game before we sang. They were pounded. Batdorf's team is so stacked and we were short 3 kids. It's hard to play when you only have 3 defensemen and 5 forwards. Ryan took 24 shots and let 8 by. He tried, but we has not on his "A" game. One of the goals he totally lost track of the puck- not good- and they got him on the rebound. He did however make some awesome glove saves and shut down two breakaways. Poor Joe's team hasn't won a game yet. They tied one, but they are not playing position. Joey is hanging in there- he looks really good and is more aggressive than Ryan ever was. Josh- he could be such a powerhouse if hew would only try. He's not bad and he does have his moments when he gives it his all, but...he's Josh. His team is undefeated. Josh has one goal so far and three assists (in one game- Playmaker).

Jay and Mike are almost done the cottage at Clear Lake. I am going to have to post before and after pictures. It's fantastic what they have done. They gutted this dump of a place and transformed it. It's a whole new place. I can't wait to get up there next summer! The boys are going to love it!

The kids are back in school.We've made the jump from private to public. Getting school clothes was crazy. Josh is just a little weed! He's only 7 and is already as big as Ryan!
I am tired from getting up early to help get Ryan up. Poor kid has to get the bus at 6:45. Joe is doing great and has already a group of friends he can't stop talking about.

Ryan has taken to Transformers the Animated Series. That is one sure way to get his butt up. Joe and Josh have threatened to get up to watch it too, but they are sound asleep at 6am- oh well. They have Pokemon at 7 and 7:30.

I sure hope the school year goes well.

Oh my God, it is crazy with three kids in Hockey!!!

Well The Boy's played their first games of the season this weekend. First the Mites...

Joe is No.5 and Josh is No.6. Their team is Green/White and has an Octopus holding a hockey stick (It's a Detroit thing, I guess) anyway- they don't have a name yet and if they did I guess it would be "The Cephalopods" or the The Jolly Green Giants...Josh said "Green Beans" Well, it wasn't a good start they lost 8-0. Joe and Josh really did try hard. Highlight of the game....Joey has the puck and shoots it across TWO lines (Way to go Joe!)- now whether this was intentional or not I don't know, but...Josh gets the pass (somehow) and makes a run for it. A true breakaway and they are on his tail! He gets over the Blue line when......BUZZ! Game over. Joe and Josh were all smiles and I couldn't ask for more.

Now the TECSS Blades...I got to run the clock. I was really missing the ALice Noble Ice Arena in Wooster. The time clock was eaiser to run, they had a PA system were I could announce the names of the players and who made goals and they had a heater. I could have used that.I had a great view of the game. The kids were fairly matched. The Bulldogs' goalie held his own and he had a good defense and offense . That's not to say our defense and offense are bad. The teams were even with 20 shots on goal and 17 saves. The Bulldogs were just a tad stronger ( I mean a little tad). We came from behind to tie. Final Score 3-3.

First period. Bulldogs score right out of the gate. It was a strong shot, we were out skated there and Rai's glove was slow. The Blades answer right back with a score of their own right through the five hole! Way to go Alex! At the 8 minute mark the Bulldogs score again. There is a pile-up of players and our No.12 is a tall kid. He took position right in front of Rai and Rai had to strain to see where the action was going. It slipped in past his skate. 2 minutes left to play and the Bulldogs score again. Rai has the puck covered and must has been expecting the whistle, but a man was there and punched it through.

Second period. Fast play again from the Blades. Plenty of breakaways, but the puck always flies wide. There was one shot to the goalies mask- that was a good save- the Bulldog's kid is stunned but shakes it off. Finally at the 7 minute mark high over the shoulder! Way to go Justin, Alex gets the Assist! The Bulldogs tried to battle back. Ryan made some great pad saves and just rocketed one off into the boards with his stick. Then with 40 seconds left....BAM! Blades score again! This time it's Dillon!


Third period. Both teams are getting tired, but we are holding and finally are beginning to out skate them, just a little- but it's enough. There is a tripping penalty with 4 minutes left, but we are unable to capitalize. Rai took only 4 shots this period. The other kid took 7! This was by far our strongest period, but that doesn't take away from the Bulldogs. We had to really fight and it was a battle to the end. There is 20 seconds left. The puck is in our corner. We are able to move to the blue line, just as it looks like it is going over, the coach makes the call to pull Rai- NO! WAIT! They get it back in- OFFSIDE! Rai stays on. They drop the puck with 17 second- we pass it to center ice over the blue line- here come the teams- Charlie takes it to the net.....(I am screaming to myself "PULL HIM! I finally scream out loud "PULL HIM!!!!" They don't Rai stays in...) 15 seconds 1 shot....goalie makes a save....it's a scramble for the puck...Blades regain control...2nd shot....defense is there...6 seconds...3rd shot... the defense is all over it.....5,4,3,2,1.....BUZZER!

As I said...we tied. Ryan was happy and there were smiles all around. It was an exciting game!


On the singing front. I am in the Toledo Choral Society. I am singing first soprano and these guys/gals are AWESOME! I agreed to be the Correpondence Secratary, so I am also a member of the board. During our first meeting they started rehersals and I could hear all of the voices blending...WOW! This years Messiah will be at the Toledo Art Museum with the Symphony...more awesome-ness. I can't wait.

All I have to do is not blow out my vocal chords at the kids' games...it won't be easy this year.

We took the kids our to Bob Evans tonight. It was interesting. Our waiter was nice enough, a bit on the slow side but, he got our order and left. I mean he really left. After 20 -25 minutes still no order. Jay noticed a flurry of activity around the kitchen area and jokingly said, "Something is going on. I think they lost our order."

Well no sooner did he say that some hostess show up and apologized ," I'm sorry, but there's a little bit of a problem. Your waiter...left..." She was very nice, explained the whole thing and re-took our order. A few second after that Stephanie showed up and told us she would be taking care of us. Then the manager shows up, apologizes and tells us how this has never happened to him before and that he put a rush our order.

This was a very busy time for them and they were good to their word. Our dinners came fast, they were hot and both he and Stephanie kept coming by to make sure everything was OK.

We are not complainers, Jay can get testy at time, but he was very restrained. he was quite funny in fact.

When the bill came the manager said not to worry it was all taken care of.

I can not imagine how stressful it is working at a restaurant during dinner time. I am sure it's crazy and you have to deal with a wide variety of jerks, but what our waiter did was rude! How inconsiderate of him to do that to not only us, but his co-workers. That manager and Stephanie never complained- they were all smiles. They really did their best to make a bad situation better.

Needless to say I wrote a letter to Bob Evan's and let them know what happened and how nice the manager and Stephanie were. Too many times I think people write to complain.

It was very interesting. We never had anything like that happen to us. It was a good meal. Who says you can't get good service?

Well. I am finally getting back to life here. Josh was sick for a few days- not fun.

I am back to singing. I have joined the Toledo Choral Society and they are a great bunch. I had to "audition". It comprised of showing up and then singing a song for placement. During the practice Sam, our director, was making fun of Air Supply. Well, I love Air Supply which led to Sam teasing me. He's a riot! At the end of practice I had to audition and the guy playing the piano played "All Out of Love". Yes, I sang it. I also had to sing "Since by man came death". I hate that one. I'm in and I'm a First Soprano.

Hockey starts next week with the kids rating skates. Can't wait to see how that goes.

Buddy the cat lost a life last week. We have a wrap around stair case that opens up to our foyer- it's about a 10 foot drop. Well, he decdided to walk on the wrong side of the banister and fell. There was aloud a BAM and the screech of the security system going off. He fell so fast he set off the motion detector. It is set for animals so he doesn't set it off at night when he's prowling around, but since he fell from 10 feet... Brinks was not amused. Buddy is fine, no injuries. So the count is 8.

Thank goodness it rained last night. While Texas is getting too much, here our lawn is dead. The new outbuilding is going up so I will get my garage back. I knew we had a lot of stuff when we moved, but gheesh!

School is out and we are in the swing of Summer! The boys had thier first hockey camp- what a hoot! It was a Robby Glantz Powerskating clinic. Rai went to work on his skating and so did Joe. God bless Joe! He has come so far. He has never been the fastest or most skillful, but the kid has the heart of a lion. He tries so hard and learns so fast. He knows defense from watching his brother in the net and seeing how Rai can be left hanging out there. Speaking of Rai...he was a little irked his brother was 2 seconds faster.

Rai had a spectacular spring season. The record of his spring team wasn't too great, but is was an awesome team. The Coach was wonderful and made it fun. Rai learned so much and his last three games where his best. He has improved so much. We did one AA travel try-out and Rai told us that was not for him. It's cool, he's maturing- it's neat to watch. He's going to try out for All-Star. I hope he makes it.

Josh is into piano...really into it. He practices three times a day. He's no genius, but he loves it. I finally got one musically inclined kid and it's the one who could be the best hockey player in the family if he applied himself. But hey, he's only 6.

Rai got First Honors in school- straight A's. Jay was so full of Pride. Joe got Honors in math. It was a great school year. Everyone adjusted to the move and made great friends. Josh is going to go to all day Kindergarten. I am not sure how I feel about that. Sure, I am looking forward to it, but he is such a fun kid. He is truly a joy. He drives me crazy, but he is such a happy little boy.

Oh man. I have been gone so long! We've moved to Toledo- that went well. The kids are doing great in school. All of the boys are playing hockey- it's a lot different here. He's doing well. Got another shut out! Now all we have to do is get the house sold. My sinuses are acting up and thanks to my hubby's job I can't make it to choir practices- I miss it! Over all it's a blah day.

We played Strongsville and it was a nailbiter the whole game.


The first period went bad, but we rebounded. The kids played hard and I mean hard! This was the fastest game of hockey I have ever seen come out of kids!! Everyone on the team shone and every one on the team fought like the dickens to win. This was not a matter of who wanted it most, both sides wanted it!

The pucks just did not go our way. We fought to a 3-3 overtime. Since it was a Championship, we went into a 10 minute sudden death. Still tied! We then move on to a best out of 5 shoot out. We got 1 they got 2

Hightlights... Rai get the puck and has a breakaway (one of many, but this one stands out) Rai is caught by 2 Mustangs- he spots his center and makes a smooth, beautiful pass to No.16- 16 books it to the net, but is wide. Anyway- Rai looked great. But the greatest play of the game....

Rai comes out on the ice during a switch flies down the ice (he must have been pushed by his guardian angel) and gets the puck to Ryan "Hollywood" McCarty- who ties the game with 43 seconds to go!

Rai got an assist!

Way to go Blades....Wooster Mite C Champs, Spring Squirt Runners-up....Thus ends the season, not to shabby if you ask me!


I can finally give my poor van a break !

Wow! The school year is almost over. Joey really did great in class. The teachers love, has he got them fooled! They think he is this sweet little angle when he is a pistol at home.

Josh out wieghts Joe by 6 pounds! Both of them are playing hockey, Josh is by far the better skater, but Joe can handle the puck well- too bad he can't skate.

Rai really had a great Squirt Spring Season! The Blades will play in the Championship Game tommorrow. He got 2 goals. The first on 4/11, the second today. YEAH!!! It was great! Peyton passed to Rai, who was centered and he took the shot- BAM! He broke the tie and te the team was able to get a 6-4 victory.

There may ne enough kids playing for 2 squirt teams so Rai may get some more time in the net, he is really hoping for that. Me, well- I am not to keen on the idea, but what can you do.

WOW! What a season.

The Wooster Tournament ended with a true nail-biter. After the controversy with the team from Columbus, it all ended up working out in the end. The team that truly deserved the trophy got it- The Canton/Akron Penguins, we got Runner-up. We fought a hard game and played our best and lost fair and square. Our boys came off the ice with smiles on thier faces. Columbus ended up forefiting all of their games.

Tonight we had our awards banquet. The coaches felt that it would be wrong to single out one player for a special award so they all got trophys with MVP on it because, "They are all MVP"S!" Coach pointed out Ryan by saying...

" I had all the trophys engraved with the players name, number and position. Ryan's is the only one that as all 3 positions, because...well he played all of them. Thanks Ryan, we were really lucky to have you, you were our utility man, our Go-TO guy."

Ryan also got a USA Hockey Patch for his shut-out against Parma.

I was totally caught off guard. The team got me a wonderful gift...Gift certificates to Bath and Body and my favorite yarn store in town. I was so thrown and touched, I actually stared crying as I thanked the parents and the kids for being so wonderful. I never did this expecting anything in return, I did it because...well, it was fun and I truly enjoyed it!

My stint as Team Manager was quite a ride, I even got to contest a game! We offically had a record of 8-4-3. Not too shaby!

I now get to sit in the stands and watch the game as a parent now that Ryan has moved up to Squirts. He got to practice as Goalie with the team, I don't think he'll get too much time in the net- the one goalie was ill and the other wanted to skate out...anyway, he held his own and took some nasty shots- 2 in the head. I can't wait to see what the Spring Season has in store.
..
Joey and Josh have the bug now and will be doing the Hockey Clinics..great by fall I have 2 Mites and a Squirt! What a logistical nightmare...ah well, such is the life of a Hockey Mom!

We played the Strongsville Team, the C team. We won 5-2.

Before the game I had the chance to watch the Columbus team we are going play tomorrow- WOW! This team is tough!. Not mean, just really good! We are going have a hard game tomorrow, but kids should do fine.

Rai played defense today, he had a good game- it would have been better if he'd stop chewing his mouth guard. All the kids do that, but we seem to go through them like water.

Not much to say about this match

Well, our string of victories came to an end. We lost to the Canton-Akron Penguins 5-2. The boys looked a liitle tired and this was a superior team. Our oppinents really looked good, but we did hold our own. Our star player was late, he or I should say his parents forgot what time we were playing. THe kids abscence was noticed, but our boys really stepped up! Rai had to play Center, Wing and Defense- even eith the 2 minute stops Rai had plenty of ice time. He didn't score, but made an AWESOME save at the goal! The play was flying right at him and he just hauled off and wacked it!!! I have never seen him diginto his edge and put so much force behing a hit!

He played his hardest and that's enough. I was most proud of him after the game. The some of the kids were really upset, our "super-star" was crying that we lost. I hate to say it, the game would have been alot closer if his parents would have gotten him there on time. They alway show up with 15 minutes to spare or "get lost". It is so frustrating....but I digress...Rai was all smiles. He didn't mind the loss and told his more morose buddies, "Hey, we can't win them all. At least we got 2."

After the game the coach pulled Ryan aside and thanked him for his effort, "Your our "Go-To" guy, Ryan. Thanks for hanging in there, this is the second time you really helped pull us together." Ryan was positivly beeming. He smiled and said, "That's alright, Coach. I don't care where you put me. I love it !"


My moment came when the rink owner came to me and said, "Our singer cancelled, I was told you sing. Can you sing the Anthem, please!"

After having an AWOL voice for a month and 2 courses of steriods to get the inflamation down...I chugged 2 bottles of water and sang our National Anthem for the first time at a match. I am no Whitney Houston, but from what I was told I did anywhere from...."Awesome" to "that was nice".

Well, things are almost back to normal.

The kids had The Parma Mite March Madness Tournament last weekend. They were the defending champs and still are the champs. It was a long touney. Started on Weds March 1..1st game was against the Strongsville B team- talk about a dirty little bunch of players- I know the blame is with the coach, but come on! The reffing was horrid and we lost 3-2. We agreed to switching on the fly, big mistake. Saturday's Game was something out of the movies...

Our 2nd goalie was supposed to play that game but got sick- I mean..SICK, poor kid. His dad called and told me he tried reaching the coach and the 1st Goalies parents but we couldn't. He dropped of the goalie gear, but I am not sure what size the other kid wears so I speed off to the rink to get the 24" pads and I throw Ryan's helmet in just incase the kids doesn't have one. We get to the match and the kids is addament, he doesn't want to play goalie. They tried bribing, calling the kids dad, the kid DOES NOT want to play. He wants to skate out and make a goal. So......Rai steps up and suits up at the last minute. He has not practiced the postion this week, but he does it anyway. The kids who is usually our goalie doesn't score one goal, it's Ryan who get's the Shut Out and the game puck! We won 9-0...sure it was a bit lopsided. We made 32 shots on thier goal and Rai only took one, but Hey....if that puck would have gone in- it would not have been a shut out and thanks to that save- we scored the full 5 points.

Sunday we played Elyria. It was a nail biter, all we had to do was tie and we did 1-1!!! Sunday afternoon they played like they were on fire. The opposing coach tried to pull his same tricks but they wouldn't have any of it. Our kids won fair and square...7-1!!! It was a sweet victory!

Now we are home, everyone is sick or on the verge of getting better. I have been really resting my voice, I think it is getting better, so I am not going to push it this weekend. We are going to Columbus to see the Bluejackets play then on Sunday, we are playing the team we beat on the Bluejacket's ice! IT is going to be so cool for the kids to play in such a huge arena.

I hope I get some good pictures.

After 4 weeks of struggling to get my voice back, I finally caved and saw an ENT specialist today. Apparently I have spurs on my nasal septum and my epiglottis tilts back. Thanks to the epiglottis he had to take a scope and look. I learned a lesson. As a nurse I have had on occasion to experience things as a patient.I now know what it feels like to have an NG tube inserted- even with the numbing spray it was very, VERY uncomfortable! Now I know what to tell my patients as I perform this procedure.

Anyway..My chords are inflamed and twice the normal size. No polyps or varicoses, no hematoma or anything funky. I do however have to start a Medrol-pack (Steroids) and take Zantac- just in case I experience acid reflux- the acid to slow the healing of the chords. The killer is I can not "Sing, scream or yell for 1 week."...I was honest and told him about my vocalizations at my son's games.- I looked at him and said, "Kevin, you don't have 3 sons. There is no way I can not yell or scream at them. The hockey I can control." He got a chuckle out of that and told me to try.

If all goes well I can start warming up again in 2 weeks. *crosses fingers.

GAWD! I am so exhusted. Jay is getting more and more frustrated at work. The nurse are incompetent and the obligation of covering the ER for no compensation is getting a bit old. He will be talking to guys up in Akron in a couple of weeks. Bryan Medical group had contacted him. I am not worried about him finding another job, that's is not an issue. I am just wondering where we'll be.

Myself, I have not been able to get my voice back. It's been over 3 weeks. I got Bronchitis and then shouted my lungs out at a game- not too smart. Since then...no voice. I can sing, but I can barely make it through mass. I had to cantor Ash Weds. Service and come the communion hymn- forget it! My voice left the building. I am seeing an ENT doc tomorrow- I am sure he'll tell me to be quiet and not talk, but you try doing that with 3 kids (one of whom plays hockey).

Speaking of that. Joey wants to be a professional hockey play and have the number 30, because Ryan is 29. Joey, God Bless him! His ast has been acting up the past 2 days, so that has kept me up. He and Josh are both taking skating lessons. Josh is doing alright, but poor Joe. I just don't think he'll get it. He is a member of the Chess Club at his school, he's in kindergarten. He's a little Bobby Fischer! That is where he will excel. Cerebral challenges, golf....maybe tennis, if he is anything like my brother ( who he looks like, right down to the skin and bones build of his)Track and Field when he gets older. But, who know maybe he'll surprise me.

Josh is just a pain. He and Joe constantly fight right now. He is a tank! He eats constantly, his build...amazingly he is tall for his age. I have no idea where he gets that. He is skating too and liking it. Next year he'll be in kindergarten all day so I am enjoying the time with him.

Ryan, he is the one that is keeping me busy. We had a successful season. Our record is 6-3-3. SOmething happened a couple weeks ago and the boys really are on fire. I have never seen tham skate or play like that. Ryan is not the most aggressive kid out there, but he has been amazing. We played our first tournament last night. IT's supposed to be a Mite C tourney, but for some reason we played a "B" team. Apparently thier record is 1-10-1. We made the mistake of "Switching on the Fly" our kids are not use to that, but they held their own. We lost 3-2, but playing a team a step up from us is not why we lost. Look at the score, we held our own against them. It was the Referee! The Bastard. Two of our guys were called one for checking...he tripped and fell into a kid and the other was Roughing...I did not see it, but I heard we deserved that one. Our kids were trippped, slashed, out right punched...they stood in the crease constantly...oh yeah, let's not forget the 7 players they had on the ice....we have that one on tape. There is no use in contesting, it cost too much and won't make that much of a difference. We learned and won't make that mistake again. As much as the kids hate it...we are playing 2 Minutes Stops the entire tourney! If we make it to the Championship with that team...To quote Megatron: "Revenge will be ours!" Ok I know he said , "mine..." but we're a team.

On a plus note....the kids played an awesome game!!! Ryan...his first time out with his line ( he played Center) Scored!!! Right in front of me!!! My seat was right in front of the opposing goal and he came around behind the net and positioned himself in front of that goal and fought like hell to get the puck in! It was not pretty, but he did it!!! THAT"S MY BOY!!! He asked me after the game if he had a hat trick...I told him no. "But, I have 3 goals!" I explained to him that a hat trick is 3 goals in one game, not 3 goals spread out through
the season. He was a little miffed, but that was quickly over come. He thought it was cool that they announced his name right after they got the goal...I must admit, I thought it was cool too. It's been a great year, but I will b e glad when March is done. He have 2 more games in this tourney, 3 if we make the championship. Then we have to go to Coloumbus for a game next Sunday.... We are playing on the Columbus Bluejakcet's Ice!!! SWEET. Then the week after that we have our Tourney. Then Rai moves up to Squirts for the spring.

I can't wait for Spring Break!

What a great Weekend! We won both our games. We played true 'C' teams and it was nice to see the kids have time. The pre-season we played up while other 'C' teams were forming...I think we are more on par with a 'B' team, but since we have some really little guys out there we are 'C'. The pre-season experience really shows on the ice.

Our first team had the misfortune of playing their first game against us...hey, you gotta start sometime. I showed the "Team-mom" the ropes on how to fill out the score sheet and gave her some ints to make it easier...stickers are a must! They needed to have a coach on the ice and we held our 1st and 2nd lines back...Garry our super-star was forced to hold back on defense- and he still got a hat-trick! The kids had fun and they actually helped this other team- it was great to see! We have an awesome bunch of boys! After 5 points we were not allowed to keep score on the board and we played 2:00 minutes stop time to rotate lines- I hated that, I had to really watch the clock and not the game- I forgot to stop the clock acouple of time....ooppps!

we won 8-1!

The next team was Shaker Hgts Red...Rai scored his first 2 goals at that game. He was hoping for a hat trick this time, but he really felt sick. I should have kept him home, but he begged to go! What's a hockey mom to do? The kids dominated the ice again! We won 6-0!!!

The next couple of teams coming up will be more on par with us so we a relishing the wins. The next games will be evenly matched so it will be interesting to see how we do.

Rai is having so much fun and is already asking if he can try goalie for the Squirt Spring Season...He may be able to. They loose alot of kids during the spring and the one Mom is gone to e-mail me the coach's number so I can ask him what he thinks.