He Did It!!

Wednesday night, we made our way to the arena, to watch Sean skate.   As we entered the arena, Sean's eyes became wide, taking in all of the activity.  To an adult, it was quite sad to see the few people that the team draws these days, however to a 5 year old, the place was packed with people!  The music was blaring, the teams were warming up and there were people everywhere.  Fortunately, one of the first people we saw was Mike, Sean's coach.   He had a few instructions for  him and told him that he was picked specially, as he is such a hard worker... and his favourite little IP player!   We headed to our seats, to let Sean take it all in and get used to things.    Take it in he did.  He seemed to notice everything, and managed to explain a few of them to me!

Shortly after the start of the first period, Tony headed back out to the truck to get the equipment.  Sean and I headed down to get him suited up.  You could feel the nerves kicking in, but he never once suggested not going.   When we got to the hallway where he dresses (Mommy doesn't go in the dressing rooms) there was a girl getting ready.  Sean talked to her a little and that helped.   After a while, one of the "big guys" came out and said hello.   By this time, Sean is dressed and dancing (literally) in his excitement.   When Mike came down, the rest of the "kids" came out of the dressing room.  To my amazement, the youngest was about 14 or 15!   There were about 5 of them, including a goalie.  They all headed for Sean, encircled him leaning down to say hi.  At his point Sean is going into panic mode!  All of these big guys... and girl  in full equipment with their helmets and cages on!    Snowball, one of the mascots... no bigger than Sean... came by at this point and helped to ease his nerves.  Next thing we new, it was time to go on.

The big kids were out showing off the skills they have acquired during their years in Youth Hockey.  Once they were done, Mike called on Sean.  His job was to skate out and jump the stick... like the big guys had done.... no can do Mike.... His job was to slide under the stick... no can do Mike... His job was to skate through the stick... no can do Mike.... His job was to take a shot on net with the big guys.... okay, that I will do Mike!!  First shot was short of the net... the goalie pretended to not be able to reach it.  Sean shrugged his shoulders and started to head back to await his next turn.  People (around me anyway) were yelling for him to try again... off the post!  Again he shrugs his shoulders and starts to head back.  More yelling to try again... and in it went!!  With that one of the big guys picked him up and they went on  a victory lap.  The message was "It is never too early to start your kids in youth hockey."   

When we got off the ice and were getting him changed, it was time for the teams to head back out.  Sean is rather poky getting changed... as I recall a certain other hockey player we all know being... so there he was standing in his Spiderman boxer briefs as the opposing team came down the hall!!! A few of the guys stuck out their gloves to give him some knuckles as they asked him how it went.  Although he was far too shy to answer, I think he thought it was pretty cool.   Just before this, Daddy had come down to tell him good job too... just as he had sat down, crossed his legs and said "ya, I was pretty comfortable out there!"  

Once he was changed we headed back to our seats, for some powerade and popcorn!  He danced in the stand... making it his mission to get on camera... unfulfilled unfortunately!  We stayed until the end of the game.  Quite a night.  He even got to meet a real player.  He was out with a concussion until Saturday, so he was sitting with his family in front of us.  Very exciting for him.    To say we were proud of him, would be an understatement!

Waiting for the period to end.   The Colts were represented!!

Meeting Stormy!

Saved by Snowball... look at all those big guys!

Snowball even waited with him as he watched the big skaters.

A little disappointed that they had to close the doors.  He understood, when I pointed out that the slapshot that missed hit where he had been standing!

Mike getting ready to introduce Sean!

Sending him on his way!

Coming in for his shot!  Sorry about the flash!

Returning from his victory lap!

All smiles after hugging Stormy... for the umpteenth time!

Oh, Daddy's beer can reminds me... Sean was listening carefully to all of the announcements.  At one point he leans into me, pointing to his powerade and say "Mommy, I have to drink this responsibly!"  Love it!  Remember that message Sean!

Finally, Video!

Okay, so it isn't the one I wanted to post, but this is the one that was willing to cooperate!  Enjoy!

BIG NIGHT FOR SEAN!!

Last night, we received a call, from one of Sean's coaches.  He is also in charge of the league.   He was calling to ask if Sean would represent the IP players as the "Player of the Future" during intermission at the Tri-City Storm hockey game on Wednesday night.   The game vs. the Omaha Lancers is also Youth Hockey Night.   To celebrate, during 1st intermission, they are going to have players from high school down showcasing their skills.  The culmination, will be, our little Seany!!  He is so excited!  I'm not sure how much he understands about all of this, but he insists he can and will do it.  Wish us luck tomorrow and watch for updates!

Sean and Ryan Are Going To Be Big Brothers... and now they know!!

With my doctor's appointment and ultra sound coming up this Friday, and the plan being to take Sean, we figured it was time to let the boys in on our good news!   

Sunday at lunch we told Sean (Ryan was still feeling sick and preferred to watch TV vs. listening to us talk) that something wonderful was going to be happening in our family.  Naturally, he was very excited and wanted to know what.   We then asked him if he had noticed anything different about Mommy lately.   He thought about it... no.   I sat back in order to exaggerate my ever expanding belly.... he thought some more... "A baby?  Are you going to have a baby?"   He was giddy with excitement the whole time.   I read somewhere that kids reactions to this news can be priceless and should be videotaped.  If only I had taken that advice...   

Immediately, he wanted to know if he could name the baby.   I told him we would think about it.   We also told him that we would be going to see my doctor on Friday, to check on the baby, and he could come if he wanted.  Of course he wanted to.   Not much was said after that and he carried on about his business.   A while later he came into the kitchen to sweep (what a helper).  I thought, surely he has more on his mind, so I told him that if he has any questions at anytime to ask.   Well, out it came...  Can you hear the baby cry in there?  (No the baby saves that until they are out!)  Will it hurt you or the baby when we check on them?   If it is a girl, then I will know who I am going to marry!    Mommy, maybe you should name the baby,  because I don't know.   How does the doctor get the baby out?  (dodged that one for the time being... any suggestions on simple yet sufficient answers?)   Next I asked him if he wanted to call Nana and Papa and tell them his good news... just ask Nana about that one!   Nana reminded him about the doll Mommy and Daddy got him before Ryan was born and he tore off to get it.  "She" has since been named January and he is taking very good care of her... every once  in a while!  Later, I showed him the pictures from the first ultra sound, so he would have an idea what he would be seeing.  I didn't want him picturing a baby on a high definition t.v show!   He listened intently as I described what he was seeing in the picture.  He then took the picture to Daddy and explained it to him.

Sunday night before bed Sean stopped in his tracks and said "Mommy I almost forgot, you're going to have  baby!"  Excitement all over again!  On Monday morning, when I came into the kitchen Sean looked at me and announced "Mommy, you kept your baby in!"  Yes, Sean I think I'll keep it in a while longer!  I had a meeting in the afternoon, so the boys went to Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Sean was only too excited to share the news with them also.  He told them he gets to go to the doctor on Friday to watch the baby on TV!

Ryan, being the younger of the two will take longer for it to settle in.   His first reaction when Sean mentioned a baby to him was... "baby!  I no baby, I big boy!"  He has now started mentioning a baby in Mommy's tummy from time to time.  It's getting in and he seems okay with it.

Keep watching for the big update after Friday's appointment.  The boys will be spending Friday and Saturday night at Grandma and Grandpa's as we head to Omaha for a break/Christmas shopping.  I'll try to bring my laptop... if not...hang in there until Sunday night!

Look at the excitement/pride on Big Brother's face!

Pullin' the Lead Out!!

This past week was another very successful one for Sean at hockey.  Seems that, since he has decided that he wants to be on a team like the big boys, he has found some speed.   He made it his mission this week to get in with the top skaters.   At first they weren't sure where to put him, but he asked the coaches to move him.  He knew he didn't belong with the group they had him in.   

They worked on making snow, preparing for stopping and ran stopping drills.  Unlike some of the bigger kids, he managed to stay on his feet after stopping!   I have video, but have been unsuccessful at uploading it.  I'll keep trying.

Can't you just feel the speed behind that push off?

Riding "Frank" the Combine

Ever since he first saw the movie Cars, Sean has loved "Frank" the combine.  I guess Ryan has picked up on it from big bro because at this time of year, they are very preoccupied with whether or not Frank is in the fields.  

This past week, they were lucky enough to go out for a ride on "Frank" with our friend Tiffany's dad.   After school, Tiff drove us to the field where we got to ride on a tractor which took  us out to the combine.  Unfortunately, pictures were hard to get as I was inside the tractor trying to get a pic of inside the combine.  Here is what I got.  Sean is a bit easier to spot than Ryan because of his white shirt.  The first two are Sean and the third is Ryan.

Apparently, both boys were very good.  They sat in their seats without moving and asked lots of questions.  I think they were impressed with how much Sean already knew from his Mighty Machines On the Farm DVDs!

First IP Hockey Practice

On Sunday, Sean and I made the trek for his first hockey practice of the season.  He was excited to go and did a fantastic job once we got there.  He was anxious to get his equipment on and say hi to all of his coaches.  Once on the ice he actually followed directions and waited his turn in line to do drills.  This is quite an improvement from last year when he would be bop anywhere he wanted anytime he wanted.   He found out that a buddy from last year is on a team this year. This seems to have gotten his attention.   This boy is a couple of years older, but it got Sean to see the purpose in what he is doing on the ice... show the coaches that I can do it too, so I can get on a team next year.  Here's hoping!!

Halloween Night

We were very lucky to have a mild Halloween night here.  It didn't drop below 60 before the crew of trick-or-treaters got home.  There was a whole group of Dad's (mostly) and kids from the neighbourhood who went out together.  The boys had a great time.  This was Ryan's first experience (last year he was transitioning to a big boy bed and I stayed in with him screaming) and Sean's first experience beyond a couple of houses.   Ryan was a trooper (so I'm told, I was home manning the door) and walked for almost the full 1 1/2 hours they were out.  When he got tired, his little buddy Porter let him ride in his wagon.   When they got to Brianna's (our babysitters) he jumped out and they both ran to give her a big hug...t hey LOVE they're Brianna!  When they returned home they helped answer the door for a while before crashing.  Both slept until 7:00 again (not unusual for Ryan... just Sean).  We'll see what the time change brings!

Don't be fooled by the smiles... sick as dogs and the mood changes on a dime!

Sean assures me he is smiling here too!

Ryan wanted to help Daddy put the recycling bin away while waiting for his friends.

Oops, too far... back to the driveway.

The gang getting ready to head out.  Notice anything about how the grown ups pass the time?

I think I know why they were all so excited for Halloween... and why I didn't go!

Pumpkin Carving 101

Wednesday, was pumpkin carving day.  Things have been so busy around here lately, that we weren't sure when we would find the time... but we did.  Sean has been battling a sinus infection which has given him many headaches and Ryan started showing signs of becoming sick on Tuesday... the usual... sinus infection.   This has made their early (7:00) bedtime more important than ever.   I give Tony the job of pumpkin carving, but he doesn't get home until 6:30 usually (until now.... last night they started closing at 5:00 for the winter!!) so there is no time after work.   Wednesday, he has his afternoon off, but there are so many things to do around the house and Sean has CCD at the church at 5:00.  Anyway, after doing yard work, loading up the lawn mower to take in for repair etc... I  considered letting Sean stay home from CCD, but he insisted on going... who am I to argue with that.  Finally, we figured that Tony and Ryan would be right ready to start when Sean got home at about 6:00 and pizza would be ordered to arrive shortly after.  Done!

Smart (and slightly OCD) Daddy, took advantage of the beautiful weather and set up in the garage for easy clean up.  Stanley is not sure what is going on !

Making sure the outside is shiny

Look at mine!

LOOK AT MINE!!!

Cool Dad!

The boys used markers to draw on the outside of their pumpkins while Daddy did the dirty work on the big one!

The finished product.  Look at the pride and excitement on those beautiful faces.