Hockey with the Skating Group

We had to bail out on the hockey skate because of time conflicts (what else is new?) but plan on attending in the coming weeks. I think this will be good because it will give N an intro into playing hockey that I cannot provide him, having no experience in the game. Then again, as long as you can skate, you can have fun tossing a puck back and forth on the ice.

TP has been very helpful and patient, and I'm grateful for that. I think A would have fun skating too because there are bunch of kids who skate, including the Mac's, so RM would be there, as well as other kid's she probably knows, but I can't say for sure.

Either way, I think N’s ready to play. We have a lot of fun as it is with our sticks and puck, and I don't think the skating group is very intense. In fact, I'm guessing they're pretty low key, which is just how we like it. This should be interesting if we ever work out our scheduling issues. Then again, without them, life would be so boring, would it not? Everyone needs a little conflict in their lives.

Until then, thanks for reading, and thanks to Jeremy Doorten for the pic.

English Muffins

I went to get bagels the other day and there was a sign saying that the Baker’s Studio, makers of Best Bagels, which in my opinion are the best bagels around here, was on vacation until the 17^th of January. That’s almost three weeks off, when you include the holidays. I realize people need a break, but that seems a bit extreme. Then again, I should lighten up and embrace the Euro model for taking time off.

Whatever be the case, we were forced to buy Bagel Basement bagels, which I think are inferior, but not bad. It did inspire me to come up with some breakfast alternatives. The kids have been enjoying eggs a lot more, and since we get them from our next door neighbor, this is a good breakfast. They are into omelettes and farmer’s breakfast, which is a bit of a chore to make, but I’m glad they are eating a hearty meal.

I also decided to try making English muffins using our King Arthur whole wheat cookbook, which happens to be one of our favorites. The muffins weren’t bad, not life altering, but decent, and fairly easy to make. They were on the small side, but looked kind of cool (dare I say cute?) and it would be easy enough to make a batch and just freeze them. It is difficult, however, to match the eating pleasure of a good, starchy everything bagel, but we must learn to adapt.

Until then, thanks for reading, and thanks to RC for the pic.

Chess and Skating at Occum Pond

We had a bit of a time conflict this past weekend because there were so many things going on. Chess was a must, but there was also the community breakfast, and then R had to a meeting at the hospital for iKODI, during which we would skate over at Occum Pond. The question became, should we split up and take two cars to meet later, or be organized and head out in one car.

We had to forsake the pancakes because it was too early and we could only do so much, but I like going, it really connects you with what’s going on in this community and opens doors to helping out. Plus, the kids didn’t get up until late, so we would not have made it, anyway. I could have gone by myself, but then I’d have to sneak out early, and at some point, you just have to take a step back.

The kids had a quick breakfast, and we headed over to chess. The turnout was a bit small, but the usual suspects were there. A&N enjoy it because there are treats and they get to have some cocoa, and they like to play chess. There is one boy who lives in town but I’d never really seen him around. He is a chess whiz, and he scares me. One of those really smart kids that impresses adults but may inspire insecure kids to be bullies. We all know one, and may have even grown up being one.

Anyway, I played him last time, and he was good, but his mom told him to go easy on me, and I beat him. This time around, I’d figured he wasn’t going to cut me any slack. The kid is good, and he has an incredible memory. We played a good game, and for the record, I beat him, but it wasn’t easy. It would be nice to get more people out to play chess, but we’ll have to work on that.

After chess, we bolted home and had to prepare for the road. I had to pack several things. First off, we had mucho library books to return, and I’d asked R to seek them out and pack them into a bag. Next I had to round up the ice skates, and then pack a lunch to eat on the road. We were going to eat at Boloco afterward, part of our regular routine.

We took mom over to her meeting, and then we went to the Pond. It was a beautiful day, dare I say perfect? It wasn’t too cold, the crowd was at first manageable, the ice was in good condition, and there was plenty of room to skate and get crazy. Plus, they provide unlimited free marshmallows to roast by the fire. Plus, soon after we got there, it started to lightly snow, and didn’t let up for the rest of the day. It was so cool.

We had a blast skating, and really got into playing hockey together. We don’t play serious organized hockey, but just play keep away with the puck. It is a great way to hone your skating skills because you have to stop and turn on a dime. N has always been a stellar skater, a hockey natural if you ask me, but A’s skating is usually a bit more pensive and cautious. Playing with the hockey sticks and puck really loosened her up and raised her skill level significantly. It was really nice to see.

Plus, A is skating faster, and I’ve noticed that she and I have a bit of a rivalry going. When we ski or skate or cross country ski, she always challenges me and wants to beat me. In the past, I always let the kids win, and in many instances they could beat me fair and square, but for other things I think we’re past being too accommodating. Plus, it’s good for them to know that they can’t win at everything, and to realize that competing with someone who can beat them only raises their skill level. The same is true for karate. As much as you don’t want to get in the ring with a black belt, they will push you to the next level.

Anyway, I don’t go as easy on them, and I think it makes A want to try that much harder. Believe me, when she sets her mind to something, she doesn’t let it go, and I know she will eventually beat me at all these things, but for now, I’ll make her work a little harder at it. She has to realize I have an almost 40 year advantage on her.

We skated for hours. There were these two black labs on the ice and they were hilarious. They would chase after the pucks (there are dozens of people playing hockey), grabbing it with their mouths and taking off. People were constantly chasing after them. When they didn’t have a puck in their mouths, you could see them obsessing over the ones sliding across the ice.

By the time we were done (actually it was me, the kids wanted to stay), I was exhausted. The pond is huge, and the ice is not groomed like an ice rink, so it takes more effort to skate on it. The size also makes for a good workout. Add some hockey to the mix, and we were tired and hungry by the time we climbed back into the car.

We met mom at work, went to the library to drop off our load of books, and then it was off to Boloco. They were so busy, preparing for some event at the college, so the food was a little compromised. I think they were making hundreds of burritos, so you can’t blame them, but for the first time, the food was not as stellar. The rice was undercooked, almost uncooked, and the burritos were somehow lacking in that “Je ne sais quoi.” Not the end of the world, I understand they were under the gun, just an observation. We still love that place.

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to Svilen Milev and Brain's Brain's for the pics.

Mad About Skiing

Speaking of madness, we have become mad about skiing over here. I took the kids to Dartmouth ski hill the other day, and I love watching A&N ski. They have a great time and are really coming into their own. The two of them encourage each other (via a little sibling rivalry) to push themselves a bit, and as a result, they grow by leaps and bounds. A still amazes me with how fast she can go, and N is not too far behind.

We had a great time, and it dawned on me that a half-day of skiing is really more than enough time on the hill, especially for young kids and old men like myself. We usually do the 2-hour twilight ticket at Quechee, and at first glance, 2 hours seems completely inadequate, but by the end, we’re feeling fine.

We did about a 4 hour ski day at Dartmouth, and it was more than enough. The hill there is so nice, and bigger with more variety than Quechee. Plus, various college and high school ski teams train there, though it never really seems crowded, and A&N love skiing the slaloms they put in. The guys who set it up are really cool and have no problem with the kids giving it a go.

Plus, Dartmouth is a good deal, and I love a good deal. Until the next time, thanks for reading.

The Madness Of Being a Parent

I have to confess, my OCD gets the best of me and profoundly affects my approach to parenting. I over-think things way too much. However, I’m able (at least I think I’m able) to embrace this methodology in a clandestine manner, such that a lot of my thought processes happen mostly in my own head. In other words, I suffer in silence, sort of.

Sure, my neurosis rears its ugly head now and then, but what parent isn’t guilty of that? I mean, come on, parenting is hard, and what childhood would be complete without some long term scarring inflicted by mom and dad?

Anyway, the process of over-thinking things, and being manipulated by the media and the fear-mongering so-called experts, is that the modern parent goes way overboard in terms of what they feel they need to do for their kids. I see it everywhere we go, and for that matter, in my own way of being a dad. I think there is a burgeoning trend in the opposite direction, but for now, we are still firmly entrenched in the era of hyper-parenting, as evident by a recent article about crazy parenting trends that was brought to my attention.

Maybe we should all simply embrace our anxieties and neurosis and not worry about the adverse consequences to our kids. Heck, that’s the approach my parents took, and look what at what a mess I’ve become.

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to Dan Brady for the pic.

Our Cup Runneth Over

It never ceases to amaze me how, when things slow down, it seems like we have nothing going on in our lives, like over the holidays. Then, before you know it, our cup runneth over and we’re flush with activities. This is not a bad thing.

After Christmas, we had a fabulous week just lounging around and doing nothing but hang out and play games and read. Of course, gorging ourselves on killer food and sweets was a significant part of it, adding to our angst and need to have some activity.

I knew that we had to do some legwork and find things to do for the Winter term, and there were some possibilities. The problem is, unlike being in school, it takes researching and some initial commitment to become involved in these activities, but things constantly shift and change, and I’m left to try to rearrange schedules and explain to people why we are changing our minds. It ain’t easy being the social chair of the house.

Things worked out nicely thus far, and I don’t think we’re at the stage, at least not yet, of being overwhelmed. I was contacted by my friend KM, and he wanted to arrange for pottery get-together with the kids. He was also in touch with DE and his two kids, who are friends with out two kids. The group was to meet in the morning on the same day that A has drama, N is to have skating/pseudo-hockey, and then it’s off to story time in the afternoon, and potentially skiing at Quechee. Fridays are nice because all the school kids ski that day, and A&N get to see their friends, though the place is a madhouse.

Either way, we also have guitar, piano, and drum lessons, and skiing at least one day a week (if it were up to me, I’d ski every day), skating, and trips to the library. Our social calendar is set. For skating, we are going to try to meet K,A&D at Union Arena, the community rink was just put together, and there is Campion and Occum Pond. The beauty of the local rink and Occum Pond is that they are free (I love when that happens), albeit cold because they are outdoors.

It’s good thing we got a second car, we would have never been able to pull all this off. Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to Giedrius M for the pic.

Dramatic Shifts

I had this plan all in place for our Winter activities, and then a new development threw it all out of whack. In a good way, mind you. Last year A&N took acting classes at N Stage, and I thought it was a great experience, mainly because they got to hang out with a diverse and quirky group of kids (the theater crowd), but also they had to endure some challenges and hard work that ended up in an effort that was both fun and rewarding, especially for A, who I think was born to be on stage.

Anyway, they canceled the program last year. The two people who ran the program, JD and MG, did a fabulous job, and I think they are really talented people who are excellent at molding and teaching children how to act. It’s not all fun and games, which I think turned A off at first, but she grew to appreciate it.

Now I don’t know the whole story, but I’m guessing there was some drama (no pun intended) behind the scenes, because there was a bit of a shakeup at the company, and eventually JD and MG left and formed their own program. I learned about the program a few months ago, and asked the kids if they were interested. A said definitely, N said no thanks, but he did express interest in doing stage production.

I contacted MG and she was very enthusiastic. The group is an ensemble, where they learn drama and eventually put on a production. I enrolled A, and we were all set to go this weekend, until I realized we had a time conflict and were going to miss a few classes. Also, we are planning on going away and would miss even more.

The nail in the coffin was that the kid’s music teacher, JB, was planning a Spring musical, and had saved a slot for A. Rehearsals were to begin on the Friday, and would continue until Spring. I was also spoke with the wonderful folks at the community theater and they, too, were planning a late Spring show, like last year’s brilliant production, and there was no way A&N were going to miss out on that.

So what to do? On the one hand, MG and JD are the real deal, they teach genuine dramatic theory and are really good at what they do. Plus, they have an eclectic group of talented kids. On the other hand, the school musical involves a lot of kids from previous productions, so A gets to see a lot of her buddies, and she has tons of fun with it.

In the end, because we were going to miss so many Sundays, and we did have other opportunities on tap, I had to inform MG and that we weren’t going to do the ensemble, which is a total bummer because again, they are the real deal, and I think they do a great job.

At least now our lives won’t be as crazy, and getting to and from the school play will be much easier. Plus, JB doesn’t mess around, she is very serious about her projects, and she is immensely talented (she plays practically every instrument on the planet), so the kids will be challenged and rewarded.

I think it all worked out. The kids will miss out on certain things, but gain a lot in other areas. That’s what life is all about, right? Plus, it will give me a chance to make rice crispy treats for the play, my reason for being.

We’ll see how this goes, talk to me in a month or two. Until then, thanks for reading, and thanks to Julie Elliott-Abshire for the pic.