Go Sting Go!!!!

Aidan started playing travel hockey this year.  It was a big decision for us, because for the longest time I SWORE my children would never play travel hockey.  But after him begging us to try out, and the coach asking to see Aidan skate, Chris and I finally let him try out for the team.

Not only did he make the team, but the child freakin' LOVES hockey.  I mean this kid runs outside at 8:30 in the morning to practise his shot.  I mean seriously?  Who DOES that?!?!

This past weekend we had our first out of town hockey tournament.  All the boys on the team were really excited about staying at the hotel, swimming in the pool, going to dinner together, and oh yeah - playing some hockey!!!

A few things I learned at this tournament:

1. 7:20 a.m. games are the work of the devil
2. Throat lozenges are a MUST - especially if a specific person is a screamer!
3. Copious amounts of coffee are required to keep this mom alive - especially when 7:20 a.m. games are involved.
4. It IS possible for 8 year old boys to stink like sweaty teenagers.
5. I need to take Valium and Gravol before championship games - I felt like I was going to throw - up during the entire game, and was on pins and needles until the bitter end.

The long and short of the tournament is, they went 2 - 1 during round robin play, and then they won 4-2 in the championship game against the team that beat them in the round robin.  I wish I had my video camera on during the last second of the game, because the roar from the parents in the stands when the buzzer sounded was absolutely unbelievable.  I'm fairly certain I saw some teary-eyed moms and dads, and I'm pretty sure I was one of them!

A few pics from the weekend:

Aidan's 'reading' spot in the hotel room before bed:

Warming-up in the parking lot before the Championship game:

That poor, poor goalie got seriously smooshed in the post-game celebration!

Getting the trophy:

Yes boys, you were definitely numero uno at this tournament:

Pleased as punch, and totally exhausted Aidan with his medal:

And when we got home (at 7:00 at night) what's the first thing Aidan asked to do? 

"Mom, can I go in the basement and practise my shot?"

SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?!?!