We are the Champions!!!

So Middle Kid and Big Kid had their league tournaments this weekend.  It could get ugly! Two kids, two schedules, Little Kid left hanging out and me again the idiot, wrote the wrong schedule for the weekend.  So Head Honcho was on his own!  Luckily we have some pretty cool friends that can help us out.  We only needed help with the Big Kid on Saturday.  He needed a ride to and from the game and someone there in case he was hurt or awesome.  Luckily his buddy's mom happens to be a pretty cool chic and she filled that role.  She is awesome and cool so I am glad she filled in for me.  Makes me think I may just be as cool as her.  He chose to play awesome (or so she says) so she didn't have to take responsibilty for any hospital bills or co-pays! 

The Head Honcho took care of the other two littles while I worked.  I was busy and ran for 11 hours straight, but I think I had it easy compared to what he had to put up with.  Up to and including entertaining a 3 year old in a college town with nothing more to do than sit and wait for 6 hours! Oh the fun they must have had.

Today was the ideal day.  The boys had a game at 8 am.  Who doesn't dream of getting to a rink at 7:15 on a Sunday?  A Sunday I may add that is raining.  A lot.  And then for funsies, let's park 15 million miles away (ok so not that far, but close... proably 14 million).  They were in the cross-overs.  In hockey lingo that means semifinals.  But we don't like easy to understand terms.  I am not one to be negative, but they had already lost to this team once.  They had little to no chance to win. 

Of course they won!  They were down 2-0 and somehow pulled it out and scored 4 unanswered goals!  Fantastic!! Championships here we come.  Oh but wait...USAHockey rules state you have to have a break...of atleast 4 hours!! So we waited.  A few went home (a 45 minute each way trip, no thank you) a few went to church, the rest of us we ATE!! We went to a breakfast buffet and killed a few hours.  Then it was on like Donkey Kong.

The Championship game was everything it should be.  Edge of your seat excitement.  They scored one on us, we scored one.  End of the first period tied 1-1.  Second period ends 2-2.  As the time winds down a tie looks possible.  Then they score...3-2.  We were down and didn't seem to have enough time to get 2 unanswered goals.  The way this game was going... we could tie.  And we did.  3-3.  OY!! The stress.  Time was winding down again... this time 3 minutes left and Middle Kid was out there.  His linemate JudgeBoy pass his a sweet little pass between the defenses legs.  And Middle Kid shot! And Middle Kid scored!!! I was hugged by JudgeBoy's dad.  People were screaming.  People were cheering.  WE.HAD.THE.LEAD!!! 3 minutes lasted 15 at least.  They held them off.  They could not outlast our guys!!

The obligitory photo shoot ensued.  And of course.  I was not prepared.  No camera.  No battery left in my phone.  Fantastic. 
 
This is the best I got... a little blurry, but those who know who they are looking for...know who they are! This is what celebration looks like! This is what happy children look like.  This...is why I keep taking them back to the rink.  No money can buy those smiles, no money can buy these friendships and no money can buy them the lessons on winning and losing they have learned.
Some of the boys have played together for years, some started this year.  Last year they won this league title but in a lower division.  Keep working hard boys (and girls) you are awesome little players, friends, and kids!  I am glad that Middle Kid got to play with you and know you.  I know he looks forward to many more seasons with smiles like this!