Hockey and Computer Woes

*from Titus' perspective*

I've been trying and trying to post but my silly internet connection has really been messing me up. I detest going with a new internet provider but I absolutely abhor having one thrust upon me just when I've gotten on a first name basis with the original one. Ok. Whew. Enough complaining.

Caleb and Ethan are loving hockey this year. They're both on the same team and, so far, on the same line. Caleb is playing center and scoring goals, and Ethan's been on left wing. It is so much fun to watch. I'm afraid I'm one of those moms, though. You know the ones. Always yelling and telling the refs what to do. Good grief. I didn't realize I had reached the embarrassing stage until Luke came to a game with me and had to almost shush me a few times. When a man as loud as my husband has to tell me to be quieter - well, let's just say the devil may have had to shovel the snow off his sidewalk for the first time.

Titus and hockey have had a rough go of it. He finally had a practice tonight that didn't end in him laying on the ice for five minutes while having a mini tantrum. A step in the right direction. For a boy who expects perfection from himself all the time, hockey has been his nemesis. This is a kid who cries if he can't draw a letter just right, never mind skating with a bunch of awkward equipment on and chasing the ever-elusive puck around the ice. On his first game he gave up on the puck and started slashing the other team with his stick whenever they came in reach. Oy vey. I think we've been watching too much Hockey Night In Canada.

Well, have a good day and try to stay warm (we almost hit -30 C last night)!

*Titus' first hockey game*

Busy as a (sick) bee

Sorry for the unexpected break. Something about being sick, going to hockey, leading music, going to hockey, leading music, more hockey, and finally being violently ill took up much of my spare time. And to tell the truth, not much spare time today, either. I've got a birthday party to plan for after school, 9 kids and 2 adults to feed, and then, you guessed it, a hockey game to maybe attend. Of course, Luke will be home by then so I might beg off and stay home to fold laundry. Ah, wintertime. The busiest time of year.

Next week I'm working on Christmas stuff. First cards, then some baking for a Christmas baking exchange, and I might get around to figuring out a few presents. Mom, I was going to knit you some socks, but it just isn't happening. Good thing I tried it out for myself first! I'm going to have to undo the binding and make it much looser - won't go around my toes! Talk about frustrating!

Today, though, it's all about Ethan. Very excited to be turning seven! He's had a gap for a front tooth for a year and a half now, and that elusive piece of bone is finally making an appearance. We got a him a BMX bike - I can hardly wait for Luke to get back from Calgary so we can give it to him!

Knitted pleasure

Yes, this is my latest knitted possession, and it has been trailing me around the house. I'm feeling a little like Linus from Charlie Brown - I just don't want to let it go. It is sooo cozy. Seriously cozy. Wrapping it around my shoulders feels like I'm getting hugged all the time. I haven't even taken the time to block the poor thing. As soon as it was off the needles, it was in use. And I used to think knitters were crazy!

Books for the Prime Minister

I was on pneuma's blog this morning and read about Yann Martel sending Stephen Harper a book every couple of weeks or so. It sounded vaguely familiar - I'm sure it made the news quite a while back. On her post, she had a link to this site where Mr. Martel lists the books as well as copies of the letters he writes the Prime Minister. I found it endlessly entertaining. I loved Mr. Martel's Life of Pi and thoroughly enjoyed reading how and why he selected each book for Mr. Harper. Of course, anything that has a book list ends up as a personal challenge to me and I will not rest easy until I have read every single book. It's a sickness, I know. The compulsion is simply too strong for my frail mind to resist.

nike Tag

This is so cool. Wouldn't it be awesome fun to be involved in a citywide game of tag? I think my favorite part is the people hiding behind those bins. Too funny!

The Day After

Here they are in all their Halloweeny glory. People were unsure about Ethan's costume - karate guy? Jedi? Poor Luke Skywalker just isn't as popular as Darth Vader or Superman. Despite the lack of recognition, he came home with as much loot as the rest of them. My living room has been transformed into a candy-sorting room and is beginning to feel a little Willy Wonka-ish. Chips all go in a heap in the middle, pop has its own corner, Coffee Crisps are delegated to the kitchen for Mom (that's my boys, always thinking of their momma) and assorted kinds each get their own little pile. By now they've totally forgotten the caramel popcorn that my parents gave Luke and I, and I'm hoping that it stays that way. That stuff is just too good to share!