Team Fun and Crazy Weekend

One of the reasons I thought hockey would be nice for the kids is that, besides a love for the game, it would be a good chance to connect with other kids, especially in an environment where they share a common interest. That seems to be happening, as both A and N are connecting with assorted kids. It’s a little slower for N because he’s the youngest on the team, and boys seem to be more distracted and on the go, especially at that age.

For A, it’s a little different because not only are girls more social, but they’re also older and more mature and grounded. What’s nice about it is that a lot of the girls, and for whatever reason it’s the girls, live in the neighboring town and play for the same team. There is a huge contingent of them, and they are a really nice . Best of all, they’re close by, and we like the parents. Childhood is so complicated.

Since we have so many things going on, I was hoping to turn to these guys if we ever needed transportation assistance. I broached this a few times and got several thumbs up, but never really actually went for it, at least until this weekend. A had two travel games, both pretty far away, and N had a game at the same time. This meant that we were going to be pulled in different directions. Throw in a massive snow storm, and the fact that R had things to do with work and home, and we were in a bind. I asked DB if he could give A a lift, and he was happy to. His daughter, who is a really sweet kid, asked if A could sleep over, and A was thrilled.

So we had another one of “those” crazy weekends. On Saturday R took A to her game and hour and a half up north while I took N to his practice, for which nobody showed up. After practice we were going to go skiing, but it was snowing hard, and we were only going to get about 45 minutes of ski time, so I changed the plan we just went for pizza, which was N’s request.

Now A was up north with the team, and DB said he’d give her a ride home, so R drove home alone with A’s gear. DB and the girls stopped in the capital to get some food. After that, she was going to sleep over at KB’s (DB’s daughter), so the plan was to meet up with them and hand off her hockey gear and toothbrush. Then on Sunday, they would go up to her game way up north together, and then come back that afternoon. After that, we were planning on going to the Dartmouth hockey game. How’s that for insanity?

And let us not forget that N had a game on Sunday, as well, and we wanted to go skiing. This is where it gets amazing. N’s game was in the morning, so we headed over with all of our ski stuff, and he played his game. Then we quickly headed out and went skiing for a few hours, then went back home and awaited A’s arrival. R had to stop by work and the gym, so she headed out separately while I went to get A over at KB’s. From there, we drove out to the Dartmouth game, met with mom, watched the game, and then came home.

Wow, even I think that’s crazy. The kids were gassed, and then there was New Year’s Eve to deal with. That’s a whole other story.

Until then, thanks for reading, and thanks to hzreking and fimonfabre for the pics.