Seven Hockey Game Weekend

Alternate Title: I Owe Fiona a Pony

Fiona and I are awaiting our Super Fan medals. We also accept badges and/or trophies. She and I cheered on the other Vannestes for seven games this weekend. Seven Games. In 30 hours. For real. We want a medal.

I told Fiona I owed her a pony. And that while I would not actually buy her one, the record reflects it nonetheless. She exploited this during The Game 6 Meltdown and I bought her a hat from the craft table in the lobby of the rink. It was $28. It is not lined with gold. But it got me through Game 7 with a positive attitude - and it is pretty cute. And really, can a girl have too many hats? (Mike says yes ... I disagree)

Saturday morning saw us running out the door at the same time we do to catch the school bus - as Q and D both had 8:50 games. I tried to convince Fiona that since two games were at the same time, it was like we only had to watch six. Now that it is over, I'm with Fiona. It was still seven. Because holy smokes, it is a lot of work to watch two games at the same time! Both Quinn and Declan played really great and so so hard. It was fun to watch them really doing their best and having a blast.

Mike had gotten Quinn ready, while I got Dec ready. He was feeling pretty nervous on the way to the tournament (it was about a 30 minute drive), so he got me to help humor him into a better mood. Once his friend Payton showed up and we started putting his gear on, he was fine and ready to go. He gets in his own head. I understand. It was a gift from his mama (sorry, D!). During his game, his breezers came untied and one of his helmet straps unsnapped. We joked about my equipment skills for the rest of the weekend (I did not help my case when I put his shin pads on the wrong legs on Sunday). Nothing fell off, so I maintain it was FINE.

It was Q's only game of the day, but Dec had another one at 12:20. To kill time, we headed to a cafe in town with some of his teammates. Where there was a two hour wait for food. So we went to McDonald's and the kids ran around the PlayPlace. Because playing several games in a day is not enough exercise. Then back to the rink we went for Game 3 (and to meet the MN Wild mascot Nordy). One of Dec's coaches had to miss that game so Mike stepped in as bench coach to help out. There was a fair amount of whining from the girls about being tired and wanting to go home, but we made it through. You could tell Dec was tired during the game, but he still did a good job.

When we got home, I figured they'd crash. They did not. They had a lovely afternoon of playing together. Very well, in fact. Then just before dinner time, we gathered our stuff and our Jimmy John's delivery to go up to Breck to watch Mike play. It's his only game this season that we will be able to see, so were glad it worked out. Brad also brought Jack and Cooper - to the delight of the three Vs.

The five of them had the.best.time running around the rink, enjoying a dinner picnic, and doing what 9, 7, and 5 year olds do. I actually watched the game and occasionally counted to make sure that I knew where all five were. The boys won their game and were really happy with how they played. Fiona said this was her favorite game of the whole weekend. I would have to agree with her. Everything is better with good friends around!

It was later to bed than usual and then up EARLY Sunday morning - because we had to be out of the house by 7am for Q's 8:00 game. Dec woke up not feeling great, but a little pre-heating time and some tylenol seemed to help. I could tell he had a cold, but we didn't think much of it. Q was pumped for her game (and after my equipment performance on Saturday, she wanted nothing to do with me helping her gear up) and played really well. Her team is so sweet and play really well together.

Game 5 went really well. Mike bought donuts for the cheer squad to share, Fiona and Dec were in great moods. We basically had this. The games were spaced just close enough on Sunday morning that we couldn't really leave to do anything, but had an hour to kill between them. During the hour between games, Q ran around with her teammates and lived her best life. Dec found his teammates in the locker room and was pretty pumped to hang with them. Fiona was getting antsy, but was hanging in there. When we found Q and her friends, I could tell Fiona wanted to join, but was nervous to ask. Q could tell too, so she grabbed Fiona's hand and told her to join them.

With everyone accounted for, I went to find our stuff and Mike. I relocated to Dec's side of the rink with our stuff and then realized that Mike had been recruited again to help coach. I settled in for the game. About 5 minutes later, an in-tears Fiona found me because Q and her friends run too fast and she can't keep up. We re-found Quinn, I reinforced not ditching sisters, and sent them off.

Not much later, they both joined me in the stands. Where the wheels started to come off. It was hot. It was cold. They were tired. They were bored. Was it done? Could we go home? Meanwhile, Dec's cold was kicking his butt on the ice. Coach Daddy was encouraging him to play through it. He did. But he also started sitting on the side of the bench opposite Coach Daddy.

We hung out in the locker room after Dec's game because we were just done with people. Dec snuggled on my lap and Quinn talked me into a Go Fish game. Then when Mike started helping Q get her gear on for Game 7, Fiona, Dec, and I walked over to buy the hat I had promised her to stem the spiral of Game 6. She was thrilled. Dec was pooped. [Q is ticked off that she did not get a hat!]

We sat together to watch Q's game with F's spirit restored and a fancy new hat on her head. Dec was the opposite of restored and slept on me for most of the game. I could tell he was running a fever by the end. So when the game was over, we grabbed our gear and headed home. Dec slept the whole way, then decided to go to bed for another 2 hour nap when we got home. Fiona declined playing with the neighbors to chill out on the couch. And Quinn drove Mike crazy enough that he took her skiing - because she still had energy to burn.

Somehow, we started today with clean clothes and groceries. I also spent it at home with a still sick Declan. But I think he's on the mend. While not a refreshing weekend, we did have a lot of fun. And we are so proud of all our hockey players. Only one more tournament to go before the end of hockey season.

[Don't tell Fiona, but then soccer season starts]

Pick Your Poison

Mike and I completed our sixth polar plunge last weekend. We have our routine down pretty well at this point. Right after the plunge, we can't wait to do it again next year. We recruit during the year and trick our neighbors into joining us. We pick a theme, team name, and acquire the necessary costume pieces. We fundraise. Then, about two days before, we go "what are we thinking??!?!" The morning of the plunge, we whine about how cold it's going to be. We get our costumes and our bravery on, ingest a few shots of liquid courage, and do it. Then we repeat the next year. 

We successfully recruited our same partners as last year. Alice and I randomly had discovered that in the past, both Mike and Jesse had dressed up like Bret Michaels. So we decided this year, they would recreate those iconic looks and we would be their 80s groupies. As I was registering our team, Mike wanted to watch a show together. I told him that it would then be in his best interest to help me think up a clever team name. He suggested Pick Your Poison and it was perfect!

We were lucky to have Gpa V in town, so he wrangled the troops - including getting Quinn to the rink for her game - while we did our plunge. I got us an early plunge time and because it was so efficient, we only missed a few minutes of her game. Since we were in a hurry to get the game, we showed up with our 80s rock makeup still on. So I'm sure we were quite the talk of the rink.

The kids were very intrigued by our costumes and Dec told me multiple times that I looked "like a real 80s girl." I don't know if he actually knows what that means, but it was nice nonetheless. Looking back at the photos, I can say with all confidence that my giant ponytail and Mike's eyeliner game was on point! This is probably my favorite costume that we've done for the plunge. And it might get repeated next year as our other neighbors promise to be in town to join us - and Katie was not happy to miss dressing like an 80s groupie!

The plunge itself almost felt like cheating. We walked straight from the bus to the front of the line, flashed our wristbands and went right into the changing tents. We dropped our stuff and met in the lobby. No one else was there (I think there were several big groups with a lot of rookies who were having trouble getting organized) so we walked straight out to the tunnel. For the first time ever, there was no one in the tunnel either. So we walked right up to the edge of the platform, grabbed hands, and jumped in. Literally no time to think or process the experience. Just like that, we were done and on our way back to the tent.

Alice and I spent more time standing in the tent after our plunge waiting to get to our stuff than any other part of the day. Also, I am telling you. So many rookies trying to wrestle on skinny jeans and leggings. Two words, ladies ... yoga pants. We jumped on the bus back to BWW, jumped in our car, dropped our wet stuff off at home, and were at the rink for two hockey games. I'm telling you, so smooth, it felt like cheating. In fact, all four of us kinda wanted to jump again! Next year. 

The best part of the day was when we were waiting to get on the bus to the plunge. There was a group of 20-somethings waiting too. Then one of them looks at Mike and Jesse and says (with a tone of confusion), "are you both dressed like Bret Michaels?!?!" They proudly said yes and told them our team name. And we were the heroes to a group of millennials.

The second best part was when Alice and I totally "mom-ed" a different group of millennials who had forgotten extra shoes and were going to jump in their $100+ leather shoes. We told them in no uncertain terms that the choice was the wrong one and sent them off to the Target that was right next door. I saw their pictures posted as well - and they found alternative footwear. You are welcome, silly millennials!

In all, our team raised over $1000 for Special Olympics and we can't wait to do it again next. Until two days before the plunge, at least.

Quinn is 7 1/2

This past Saturday, Miss Quinn Scarlett Vanneste turned seven and a half. As you know, halves matter here. I thought I'd share a few stories to give you a taste of the cool 7.5 year old we have the privilege of hanging with every day.

Mike ordered a pair of skis for the kids, and they arrived on Friday. Sunday afternoon, we were back out on the hill with skis, sleds, and snowboards in tow (seriously, guys. We honest to goodness have all.the.winter.toys!). Quinn was trying the skis first, so Mike got her set up and off she went down the hill. Right toward a tree. Also - Mike had not yet taught her how to stop. Yet, about two feet short of the tree, Q executed a perfect ski stop because she had watched Mike do it once. While I cannot fathom it, I am in awe of her skills.

I spent most of my evening tonight spotting front and back walkovers - because her gymnastics coach had told her to practice at home. When I was not available, the couch was her spotter (insert sighs about the losing battle of my furniture NOT being playground equipment). And apparently Mike snapped her with a shirt while they were getting ready for bed. Thankfully, he claims he did not teach her how to do it - despite her intense interest. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned for Fiona and my safety.

Grandpa was here this weekend and Quinn proudly guided him to the community center when he brought her to hockey on Saturday. She also has decided that emptying the dishwasher is HER job and she is becoming quite the proficient sous chef. She loves pulling out the cookware and ingredients I need to make dinner, and you can find her perched on the counter during the preparation of most meals. In game-changer news, she can also get her own breakfast (and sometimes Declan's) - which is delightful on both school and weekend mornings.

Quinn is analytical, inquisitive, and funny. She is deeply interested in the HOW and WHY of things. And her wit is world-class. She still does not want to admit she has feelings - and we judge how funny things are by seeing if Q cracks a smile. [Note: Ellen's Game of Games. Funny. Spaceballs. On the fence.]

We are so proud of her - but not because she is naturally good at most things. Instead, it is because she works really hard to become better at them. Quinn asked me a few days ago what "determined" means. And there is no better definition than Quinn herself. She sets her bar high and works relentlessly to get there. Unless it is something she does not care about. Then good luck to you.

Snow Day Sunday

As mentioned, a lot of snow fell overnight on Saturday (and Sunday morning as we all had to navigate to hockey). Mike figures we got around 8 inches or so. Once the snow stopped falling so hard, Sunday was the most beautiful, sunshine-y, blue skies, winter day you have ever seen! Which meant we threw all responsibility out the window and played outside all day. Truly all of it. And then ate eggs and bread for dinner Monday night because getting groceries was way too responsible for a snow day.

By 10:30ish, we were all home from our various hockey locations. As we pulled gear out of the cars, we saw our neighbors walking down to the sledding hill. That clearly meant that we grabbed three sleds, three saucers, and two snowboards to join them [also, who wouldn't want to be neighbors with us. We literally have all.the.winter.toys].

We spent the next hour packing trails, testing snowboards, building jumps ... and if you were me, walking back and forth to the hill multiple times because people had to go to the bathroom. On the bright side, I had over 10,000 steps before 4pm that day. Everyone was getting a little growly by noon, so we all headed home for lunch.

Then after lunch, Mike and neighbor Mike took the snowmobiles and three of the five children out for a ride [see! ... all the winter toys. I was not exaggerating]. Ev wasn't so sure about the longer snowmobile ride, but Dec highly recommends it. Once the snowmobilers were back, we put our gear on again to go back to the sledding hill. Why go once when you can go twice?!?!

It was seriously so much fun. Quinn got the feel for the snowboard and had several very successful runs. Dec attempted to snowboard over the saucer jump and was very close to landing it. Fiona is figuring it out and just needs to be more confident instead of bailing out (Mike's words. I'd be with Fiona on the bailing). After playing hockey in the morning and already sledding once, Quinn and Dec hit the wall pretty hard by the end of sledding trip #2. A little downtime and a small snack revived them enough to make it through the rest of the day.

Meanwhile, Fiona and Mike were on the most epic snowmobile ride. They were gone for almost 90 minutes. And while she loved it, poor Fiona was SOOO cold when they got back. Quinn and Dec both wanted rides too, but were content with shorter versions. Mike put over 40 miles on the snowmobile that day and was not sad about it (although apparently helmet fatigue is a real thing for the neck).

We all felt so restored (and so tired) from the fresh air. Dec asked me if you could break a hip on the saucer. I told him that you could - but that he didn't. We also cracked a sled and a saucer during the adventures. If all that doesn't scream winter fun, I don't know what does! And I'm not going to lie to you ... everyone was a little bit sore and moving very slowly Monday morning.

The Sports

Saturday night, I was home with the kids while Mike was at his own hockey game. Dec asked if he could put on his hockey gear and play goalie in the basement. I said "sure." Then Quinn got wind of this and decided to put her gear on as well. Soon enough, a knee hockey game broke out in my basement.

They very sweetly invited Fiona to participate. She was the "cheerer" and the announcer - and apparently the ref and timekeeper. At one point, she announced that it was "halftime." I promptly informed her that there is, in fact, no halftime in hockey. She ignored me. Then after halftime, she dropped the puck by saying "hut hut hike." I suspect [hope] that was just to sass me.

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I do blame the halftime comment on the fact that we actually made the Super Bowl an event at our house this year. Turns out, certain five-year-old boys in the public school system had very strong opinions about the game and which team should win. I was told I was cheering for the Chiefs. I may have had to ask said opinionated 5-year-old who was playing. When I learned that the Chiefs QB was the son of a former Twins pitcher, I was good with my assigned team.

We ate dinner downstairs at the bar and piled on to the big sectional to watch the game. There were chips and top the tator (so a real party) as well as all the fruit Declan could eat. At some point during the first half, each of our kids separately asked what a quarterback was. Quinn is clearly a hockey player and was quite annoyed when it took sweet forever to all the players to line up, only for no forward progress to be made. Several times, she said "that was it?" So while our football knowledge was lacking, we all agree that it was a really fun event to mark together.

We let them stay up through the halftime show so they could be culturally relevant at school the next day. Except for the fact that they had no idea who Shakira or J. Lo were. Nonetheless, they enjoyed it. And Dec was thrilled the next morning when he wandered into my room and I told him the Chiefs won. He was slightly less annoyed that it was Monday.

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This weekend was "south metro exchange weekend" for Mite hockey. Dec played in Prior Lake on Saturday and volunteered to play goalie for the first game. Mike volunteered to be bench coach, which D loved as well. Dec was proud of how he played in goal and enjoyed being out of goal for game 2. They even did a shoot out at the end of the game - and he scored!!

Sunday found Mike and Quinn driving to New Prague, very early in the morning, in near whiteout conditions. Mike texted me when they got there that he had seen one plow - in the ditch. It was an adventure, but well worth the crappy roads. Quinn had the best time and played really well. Apparently she did skate into the net at one point - so they tell me.

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The best thing about super early morning hockey for everyone on Sunday is that we were done with hockey by 10:30am. Which meant we had the rest of the day to play in the fresh snow (more on that later). At one point, as Q walked up the hill with her snowboard over her shoulders, her hat pulled down over her eyes, and completely covered in snow, our neighbor Mike said "everything about Quinn screams X Games." And our brains exploded a little bit.

In not our brightest parenting move, we showed the kids a few videos of Shaun White snowboarding. Later, Dec told me that he was going to be just like Shaun White. Only not. Because his tricks were going to be different and better and harder. He also asked to take both skateboard and snowboard lessons. And said that instead of asking Santa for yogurt next Christmas, he's going to ask for goalie pads. It may be going awry here!