The (early) life of a Hockey Mom!

It's no secret that there are some hockey fans in this family, and some hockey players too.  The fact that William got his first set of sticks and nets when he was 3 months old should have given me a glimpse into what was to come.  From bob skates on the back yard rink at our old house, to all the nights spent at public skating and now skating on the lake, we are a family of skaters.  William is fully immersed (and almost finished) his first season of  Timbits hockey, and it has been quite the experience.  It is a big time commitment and involves early mornings and cold arenas, but we have been so fortunate to have met some really great families and had lots of fun along the way.  Carson has even made his own set of friends with all the other siblings.

Timbits is mostly made up of practices and scrimmages, not official games.  The focus is on skill development and not the "game" aspect of hockey.  They are able to play in a few tournaments over the course of the season, which are very entertaining, and we had an excellent Mom as our tournament coordinator and she got us in to some great ones... including one over the Family day weekend.. in Medicine Hat.  That's right, we travelled... for Timbits hockey.  This is not something I was expecting to happen so early in our hockey lives, but it was an excellent introduction to what is going to be many more of these little trips in our future... especially if Carson decides he wants to play too.

The tournament was about so much more than hockey, for the kids and for us adults.  I think the kids will remember the hotel waterslide and pool, and the pizza/movie party more than the actual hockey games, although those were great too.  They played their first full ice games, and all the kids did amazing.  We had no idea what to expect, but the kids stepped up, played really well and it was so fun to watch!

 Both boys unpacked right away in the hotel... right into the dressers!

Wil and his best little hockey buddy before the first game

(these kids were so excited and a little wound up!)

Warming up!

Last little pep talk from the coaches

(the kids had to play without coaches on the ice during the game, something they were not used to. They also had to play positions, which they were also not used to. It was impressive how well they all adapted though.)

Wil taking his first face off!

Off they go!

Ready for another!

Superstar goalie!

(all the kids had a turn in net)

(he looks so small)

Making an awesome save!!

Handshake

There was a little poster for each team with all the kids' names on them... Wil found his name!

He's so handsome

(Our Valentine's lunch date)

Travelling, hockey, sleeping in a hotel, waterslides all morning and a lunch date... EXHAUSTING!  The kids needed a nap before the Saturday afternoon game!

Game Two... Carson discovered that the concession stand sold giant bags of candy for $1

Pajama Dance Party!

(We booked the hotel party room and had a pizza and movie party... these kids were the last ones standing... maybe because their parents were the ones still wanting to "play" too! Yes, both my kids are in there...)

Bow Valley Teal Timbits!

(Way to go team!)

Fun toys from our Wendy's lunch stop!

Hahahahaha!!

And done.... 

It was a whirlwind weekend and exhausting for everyone... but a great time!

February... What!?!??! Where did the time go??

So looking back, I haven't been on here in a while... life seems to have been very busy.  We had such a great December, Wil played in his first Timbits Hockey tournament,  Gramma and Grampa Toronto came to visit, we had an unbelievable Christmas, a few days in Red Deer, and then New Years.  We were all spoiled at Christmas and enjoyed seeing family and friends and sharing special time together.

Happy New Year!  We made it to 2015!  Amazing.  The pace of life in January did not seem to slow down.  Hockey, swimming lessons, sport classes, preschool and kindergarten all starting back up.  The weather was up and down, alternating between freezing cold and beautiful and sunny.... so of course, everyone got sick.  Then poof, January was over.

We have now entered February!  I can hardly believe it.  Things show no sign of slowing, but I am promising to make a better effort at keeping you all updated this year.  Here are a few pictures to get us back on track...

Wil's First Hockey Tournament

(Bow Valley Timbits)

(Pregame fueling up, and the girls on Wil's team chasing him around during the warm up... he is a heart breaker already!)

First Morning with Grampa!

Cuddles with Gramma

Making a Gingerbread house

We played tourists and went to up the Calgary Tower

(Checking out the glass floor and the Tornado machine)

Sometimes December calls for tank tops and sunglasses!

Bubbles!

Lunch and movie date with Gramma and mommy

Christmas Eve Gingerbread decorating

Stockings were hung

(Thanks Uncle Mark for the sign with the hooks, we love it!)

Getting the carrots ready for the reindeer snacks

New Christmas Eve pj's

Reindeer food sprinkled on the lawn

(Oats and glitter)

Matching Christmas Jammies!

Merry Christmas.... waiting to see if Santa came!

Opening gifts

(and a pj change for Carson, he had to try all his new ones on)

Christmas Day quiet time with a new movie

(Planes Fire and Rescue... good movie!)

Marker Making

New jumping game... this kid has "ups"

We brought the snowboards to Red Deer and tested them out on Grandma and Grandpa R's lawn

Back in Calgary... everyone a bit over tired and a bit sick

Boys night out!  Flames game

Girls' night out!

Snow shoeing in the back yard

Checking Gramma's computer

Cheering on team Canada hockey!

This was a tense game... Wil was very involved!

(Phew, they won!)

Cool new Parkas

(Wil got one too, in Green... only $14.99, cant argue with that price!)

Race cars

Tooth number 2 gone... using the Tooth Fairy Pillow Gramma Toronto made for him

Grandpa Red Deer turned 65, we made him a cake.

(It is meant to look like his garage and cars)

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

The inside was a checkerboard too!

Relaxing with Grandma

It warmed up so much everything was melting... Carson LOVED the puddles!

Zoo, with NO coats, in January!!

It was exhausting!

Scooterin'

Riding Bikes

Dinosaur Tails from Gramma Toronto!

My Handsome men!

Trying to take a nice picture with my boys.... it didnt work!

Our chocolate covered strawberry footballs for the Superbowl!

The Force is Strong in this one!

(Yoda Carson)

Its cold again... we are building forts!

Brothers hanging out

(these guys are spending a lot more time playing together and relaxing together... they really love each other... I love it!)