Transition...

Now that the regular hockey season is over, we have transitioned into the next season that sweeps over our family.

Morgan started dancing when she was 3 or 4.  I can't remember it was so long ago.  The only prerequisite was that she be potty trained.  Talk about a motivator! 

She and her friend Cassie have been in classes together every year since.  I think it was her second year of dance when she decided that she needed to be glued to my leg, and she would cry every single week when it was time for her to go into the classroom, and me to go to the waiting room.  Even with Cassie by her side.  I felt like the worst parent in the world because clearly she didn't want to be there.  I'm sure I was judged plenty by all of the other parents.  Her teacher was so understanding though, and wouldn't give up on her.  She was so patient, and gave Morgan the room she needed to feel comfortable in there again.

And now, she's at the studio 4 nights a week, and wouldn't have it any other way.  It sometimes makes it interesting to manage the dance and hockey schedules together, but somehow we've done just fine.  Thank goodness for carpools!

Morgan comes alive when she's performing.  The little girl that didn't want to go to class for one hour per week has been busting her tail the last few months to prepare a SOLO to compete in just a few short weeks, in addition to her five other group numbers she's performing, and assisting in one class of "itty bitties".  I couldn't be more proud of her.

I love Instagram.  It sure does cool things with my photos. :)

This is Cassie, who is also preparing a solo for the upcoming competition season.  Thank goodness the girls are doing two different styles of dance so they won't have to compete against each other!  Cassie is full of grace and beauty and I absolutely love watching her dance.

So I prepare you to be flooded with not just hockey posts anymore, but dance posts since performance and competition season is just around the corner.  Because who doesn't love coming here and reading about me gushing over my kids???  ;)

XOXOX

NH

Just one reason I can't get enough of her.

This morning shortly after I sat down at my desk and began to dig into emails and orders, my phone began going crazy with texts.  Usually if this happens at 7:30 AM, it means one of the kids have forgotten something for school.  I glanced over at my phone and saw they were all from Morgan, and still coming in.

Opening them up, this is what I found:

Sorry they are sideways.  I can't figure out how to turn them.

This girl is a treasure, I tell ya!  Go ahead and be jealous, I won't mind.  ;)

XOXOX

NH

I blinked, and it's over.

Just as quickly as it started, it's over.  I can't believe it.  It seems like yesterday that we had 40+ games ahead of us on the schedule, and now there are none. 

Playoffs began last weekend for us.  We won our first game, but lost our second.  It really was a very close game.  We were losing 2-1 with 2 minutes left in the game and they pulled Andy to gain another skater.  The other team ended up scoring 2 empty net goals in those last two minutes of the game.

I can't say enough good things about this year.  If you could dream of a perfect hockey team for your child to be on, this was it.

Our record wasn't great.  I don't even know what it was to be honest.  But it really didn't matter.

This is where he loves to be.  I think he'd sleep here if we let him.

Our coaches had the perfect amount of authority over these kids, and they all respected their coaches so much!

My attempt at a panoramic photo of the team at our party last night.  The table isn't really broken in the middle.  Neither is Eric's face in the top left.  Sorry Eric.  I need a little practice on my panoramic photos.

This is Tyler.  He is the big brother to the princess I made the hat for.  He's moving back to Canada very soon, so I got a jersey for him and had the whole team sign it.  I believe the first thing he said when he opened his gift was, "oh jeeze mom, are you crying???"  Tyler, get used to it.  Moms like us cry over things like this.

Old friendships solidified, and new ones created.

Memories that will last forever.

Prayers never hurt.  Every player put their heart into every game they played.

This is where he loves to be.

There!  That panoramic is a little better!

I hope you keep doing this for a long, long time buddy.  I'm very proud of you and the whole team.  I'm so sad this year is over, but new things are just around the corner!

XOXOX

NH

I made a hat.

There is something so cool about verigated yarn.  One color can be so boring to knit with.

Verigated yarn gives you the coolest, unexpected blips of color, and you never know where exactly they will end up.

Cables and verigated yarn?  Shut up.

So, I made a hat with cables and verigated yarn, and then I got to give it to this princess who is moving to Canada in two weeks.

I'm so sad they are moving!  Princess's brother is on Andy's hockey team, so we've gotten to know them very well.

Princess's mom asked me how much she owed me for making this hat, and I told her I didn't want any money for it.  That's not why I made this hat.  What I got instead of money for payment was worth 10,000 times any amount of money.  I mean, come on.  "I lack you"???  This melted my heart.

See all those numbers up there?  That's how much she loves me.

And she loves me enough to make me a card with a rainbow to let me know how much!  In addition to this perfectly awesome card, I got a pocketful of Valentine chocolate candies, and even better, a hug.  Goodness me.  It's been a while since I've had little arms that size around my neck.  I'd make 100 hats for another little armed hug.

And so little princess, you are welcome.  I love you that much too, plus 1.  I am going to miss you so so much!

XOXOX

NH