Don't Sink!

Swim Time

This weekend was Blake's final Jamboree for the year, and we thought it would be fun to go to a hotel the night before so the kids could hang out in the pool. Thanks to Steve and Sheri for finding a hotel with a water slide. The kids (Blake, Paige, Cameron and Brooke) had a great time swimming, going down the water slide, and playing hoops in the pool.

After a couple hours, we left the oppressively hot pool area for a short time to eat some pizza. The guys were still eating and chatting so us girls headed back to the pool. Paige and her friend were back in the water when I noticed that Paige was in over her head - literally. She hadn't put her water wings back on and ended up in the deep section of the pool while trying to grab a basketball. I'm sure it was only a couple seconds but felt much longer. I stepped to the edge of the pool but realized that there was no way I could reach her. She said "mom help" and went under again. On TV, they always take time to kick off their shoes. She looked so scared. I slid into the pool - shoes, blue jeans, hooded sweatshirt and all. Paige was fine but I think she was pretty impressed that I came in to get her with all of my clothes on. She gave me a big squeeze and asked, "Why did you do that?". So I asked her "Why do you think I did?". Her reply..."Because I was sinking?".

Wet Aftermath

I am surprised that I have made it this far as a parent without ever having to jump in after a child. I wasn't the least bit upset that I had to do it, but rather just really grateful that I was standing so near and paying attention. So I am officially giving myself a "Good Mommy Award". This is pretty exciting as I have been fairly liberal with the self-giving of "Bad Mommy Awards" over the last 7 years. I think us mothers tend to give ourselves a hard time over the slightest guilt inducing incident. We don't hesitate to give a mental reprimand but rarely, if ever, bother with praise. Blake recently upgraded my status to 'fun limiter' (a step up from the long standing 'fun hater' title). That's cool. But it is even more cool that, even if just for a moment, I was Paige's hero. That is until she was ready to hit the water again.

Rockin' Robin

Paige had her third Just for Kix dance performance this past weekend. The song they danced to was Rockin' Robin. There are two more performances left this year...or maybe forever...Paige says she wants to play hockey next year. We'll have to wait and see. She looks cute in hot pink fringes, but she looks really cute in breezers.

Hockey Girl

Dance Girl

Hutchinson Jamboree

Well, the regular hockey season is winding down which means Jamboree time! Here are some pictures of the first Jamboree of the year. The kids and parents really look forward to these events. The best part is that other hockey associations actually turn the heat on in their facilities so you can watch the game without stocking caps, boots, gloves and scarves. Actually, the best part is how excited the kids are to play. A Jamboree is an all day (or all weekend) event. This year Blake's team played a game at 10am and another at 5pm. There are a lot of rules about length of game (60 minutes), time between line changes (2 minutes), time between games, score-keeping (not allowed), etc. After both River Lakes East teams finished their morning games, we all headed to Pizza Hut for lunch. We occupied over half of the restaurant, thank goodness for buffets. After lunch, everyone slowly made their way back to the arena for an afternoon of hockey. Blake got to hang out with his teammates, and Paige got to hang out with her friends that she has gotten to know over the last two years. It was a very long but very fun day.

Blake (#7) waiting for the line change

Game #1 vs STMA

Lunch at Pizza Hut

Baby Jaguar gets a piece of the action too.

Hockey Sisters playing cards

Game #2 vs Hutch

Good Game

Hey, that coach is cute!

River Lakes East Team B

Photo Booth...Now in COLOR!

There is a photo booth at the mall that Paige has been begging (politely) to get her picture taken in. We passed it on several occasions but I never seemed to have enough dollar bills. Well, finally about two weeks ago, I had cash and the kids were able to have their first photo booth pictures taken. They are so silly, but the kids were pretty excited with the results. I love the nostalgia of photo booth pics. Just thinking of the tiny little booth with the curtain conjures up memories. However, the pictures only printed in black and white back then. Blake would call that old school.

My scanner decided to get all high tech on me after I scanned Paige's photos. It would only scan the last photo on Blake's sequence...I have no idea why.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN BEER

No, this was not my v-day gift from Henry. He brought it home from a business trip last week, and I thought it was funny. Well, it would be a compliment, right? ;-)