Hockey Halloween

This weekend the Strongsville Mustangs Mite 3 team played in the Halloween Hockey Tournament in Euclid, Ohio. It was our first tournament and boy was it exciting! On Friday night we arrived at the ice at 4pm ready to face the Euclid team. It was a very tight and intense game. No need to worry not only were the boys playing well, with Denise and Nick leading the way on defense. But with the expert coaching of Coaches Matt Dobriansky and Marc Pignataro the boys were able to create great scoring chances which led to hat tricks by Andras as well as Zach.

With a 7-6 win over Euclid the boys were ready to face the Mahoning Valley Phantoms.

The game again was edge of the seat exciting. Coach Matt even pulled the goalie at the end of the second period to try and create an additional scoring chance. While we were all absolutely confident in his decision, I can't say that we weren't nervous anytime one of their players touched the puck. We survived the last few seconds of the second period and were able to end the game in a tie.

One thing we've learned about tournament hockey is to expect lack of sleep! After shipping Katie off to Grandma and Grandpa's for the night we headed back to Euclid at 5:30 AM to face Cleveland Heights. The boys were able to control the game, which allowed our coaches the chance to change things up and give all the players a chance to play different positions. It was really exciting to watch one of our boys who usually plays defense take a few face offs. I showed him the pictures I took of him playing center tonight. I told him I was so excited that he was getting to play another position for a while I couldn't help but snap....10 pictures of it!

We one that game 8-1!

What a thrill for the boys when Coach Marc told them in the locker room after the game that they were going to be playing in the Championship round! I wish I could have seen their faces. This team has learned so much from their coaches in the last few weeks. They still have much to learn, and there will be harder games as well as some that are a bit easier. But to come from beginning the preseason with 7-0, 11-0 and 10-0 losses, adding 3 brand new kids to the team 2 weeks before, to playing in the championship round of a tournament is very exciting for 6, 7 an 8 year olds. Ok, it's exciting for thirty something year olds as well!

So off we ran to church before heading back to Euclid one more time for the 3:45 game. As we gathered in the stands many of us parents talked about how proud we were of our kids, and how nervous we were as well. The team we were facing was the same team we had tied. The team that had just beaten Euclid 11-2. The team that all of us had spent the last few minutes reminding our boys before leaving them in the very capable hands of the coaches to "look out for number 14 and 10!"

The nervousness continued as they took the ice. We yelled and cheered encouraging things to the team. We told them they could do it, we yelled even louder when Anthony scored the first goal or the game. We felt that we could do this. #14 took the ice and the puck, and yes he scored all 5 of his teams goals. He ran his team t0 a 5-2 victory. The thing he was not able to defeat was the Mustang's parents pride in their team.

Our boys came in 2nd at their first ever tournament! Our boys played hard up to the very last second on the clock. Our boys looked to their coaches and listened and tried to follow the instructions they gave. They didn't play perfectly, but they played their hearts out. The took a few penalties as they threw themselves in front of #14 to try and slow him down. Our boys learned a lesson, that made many of them leave the ice in tears. Yet, having spent time with their parents this weekend I know when they got in their cars to head home they were being told how great they had done and how proud they had made us all. No, they didn't win, BUT they came away from the game knowing that they can play as a team, work together and do their best.

I just came from practice tonight where once again they pulled on their jerseys and went out to practice as a team. Preseason is almost over, and there is still a lot more hockey to play. Win or Lose these boys will be learning and growing in their hockey skills under some great coaches. They'll take the ice at each game knowing they can count on their parents to be the loudest, most encouraging fans they will ever find. The last thing we yelled as we left the stands on Sunday was "We're proud of you Mustangs!" and we truly are.

What's the score?

It was a whirlwind weekend. Grandma and Grandpa arrived on Thursday night just in time to head off to the Girl Scout Hayride. We only had 4 tickets for the actual ride so Grandpa joined Phil and the kids and off they went.

I think we might have mentioned that the hayrides usually have a stop in the woods to throw hay!

Luckily, they were on the last ride before the rain started coming down. They seemed to enjoy themselves. I think I'm glad I stayed behind.

Friday, the kids had off so we spent time together as a family. We played 4 or 5 board games, went to the mall and then the kids stayed home with Grandma and Grandpa and Phil and I headed off to small group bible study.

We made it home just in time to watch the end of the first hockey game of the weekend. Unfortunately, the Wings lost the game. I know I was certainly crossing my fingers that it was not a sign of the weekend events to come.

Next morning we were up bright and early to head off to Kent State University for Zach's 9AM hockey game. Not a bad time for a game, except when you have to leave at 7AM to get there. (of course this coming weekend we're going to need to leave at 5AM for a game, so this was nothing!)

Go Mustangs! They did an awesome job with their game. They ended the game in a 3-2 loss. BUT... there was a goal that the refs didn't count where the puck clearly crossed the line before the whistle blew for us. Then there was a goal that counted as the buzzer went for the period for them. THEN there was the penalty that should have been called on a beautiful breakaway that Zach had when he got yanked down from behind...so needless to say, the game could have gone either way. (not that I have an opinion on which way it should have gone!)

They really played well regardless of the score at the end of the game. It was neat to play at KSU too, the arena was very nice.

Who can resist more hockey in a weekend! Certainly, not us. Especially when the tickets are FREE. So, off to the Lake Erie Monsters game we went on Saturday night. The game wasn't all that exciting. They are in a building year, but I can't say I'm disappointed that Colorado's farm team doesn't look that great.

The kids made incredible signs for the game. We all had a lot of fun. Of course I think most people were cheering for the Indians during the last period when it was up on the screen during the game. Not sure anyone would have known if the Monsters had gotten a goal.

Finally, we ended the weekend with another great Hockey game. This time the Mustangs took on Rocky River . With some great coaching from Coach Matt the boys held on to win the game 3-2 almost getting one in the empty net. Zach ended up his week of hockey with 5 goals being scored. He played great and best of all...He had a lot of fun.

We had an awesome weekend too, of course the final event for the weekend...hockey! Watching the Wings teach the LA Kings a thing or two.

Next weekend promises much of the same. A few Wings games on Center Ice and Zach's first tournament.

24 pages in 3 hours!

How can you get 24 pages done in 3 hours time. It's easy with power palettes! I spent the first 1/2 hour cropping the pictures. I cropped them all in one setting. The next thing was putting the pictures in the order I wanted them in for the album.

From there I just layed out the pages, pictures and paper and stuck them down. That took about 2 hours total. In the last 1/2 hour I went back and journaled on each page and added some stickers that came with the mod power palatte. 3 hours total and one project done!

Recharged

It's October 1st. I can hardly believe it. Seems like the days, weeks, months just fly by. It is beautiful outside and I have to admit I really love fall. I love the change of the colors, the crispness in the air. The fact that I can still wear my favorite flip flops, even with jeans. (I never claimed to be fashionable). Of course it's also the START OF THE NHL SEASON! We raised the Red Wings Flag yesterday, and it will fly until the end of the season.
The only problem is, WOW our Internet/cable/phone people are not sure what NHL options they have for us this year. We may have Center Ice, then again...we may not. UGH! I would think that they could get it together at least by our first game would be nice. So...here I am on hold with them again. Hopefully, this time the answer will be that they will be carrying it.

(Have you ever noticed that the music on these hold calls is too loud and the voice sounds like you just walked into a funeral home? Just a side funny.)

Back to the whole fall thing. It is a wonderful time to get some things done around the yard and house. September was my kitchen and laundry room clean out months. I did get it done too! Now for October, the yard needs cleaned up and the closets need cleaned out. 31 days! I can do it.

The thing I am realizing more and more is that the more time I spend in front of the computer the more I am forgetting to look up and enjoy the world around me. No more! I think working from home should have some perks. With that in mind, for each hour of on task work I think it is only fair to be able to enjoy 15 minutes of doing something that I just feel like doing. Journaling in my albums, reading a book, walking the dog. I think in the end I'll be far happier, and more relaxed.

Life is good, so why not enjoy what we've been blessed with!

Fall...may just be the one season that recharges me.