Good Game

Mike's hockey schedule is either great or terrible this year - depending on how you look at it. It's great that the majority of his games (like over 80%) start after 9pm. That means we get to keep him through the kids' bedtime and both he and they love that. But that also means that the options for us actually getting to watch him play are slim at best.

So when there was a 5:30 game last Saturday, let me tell you that we were all on board with heading over to St. Paul to cheer on our favorite Venom player (Uncle Brad is a close second). Mike gave up his role as captain for the season as he has taken on the extra work of a full course-load of school ... plus a full-time job, husband, and dad of three. Hockey captain just slid off that very full plate.

It was quite the educational pre- and post-game, as Mike's team didn't have a locker room (the facility didn't have enough), so the guys had to change on the bench. I wasn't paying attention until one of the kids shouted, "Mom, Uncle Brad is naked." He wasn't. He was shirtless. Nonetheless, we got busy prepping our picnic dinner to distract eyes. And were grateful for the zamboni at the end of the game!

The team's regular goalie was sick - and their back up goalie didn't have the best game. It wasn't the prettiest score, but we still had a great time watching. Dec was really interested in the game and discussed several plays with Mike on the way home. Watching his dad play is making the dude a bit more excited to start his own hockey career. The girls were thrilled that a few new friends (kids of Mike's teammates) showed up and were happy to play.

It was a bit of a late night for the crew - but worth it to bring Mike's fan club to the rink. And I'm not at all sad that I've continued the annual tradition of getting a photo of them high fiving their dad through the glass.