Lacing them up, or hanging them up?

We've got three official seasons of ice hockey under our belts.

It seems like a rite of passage for so many Minnesota Kiddos, ours included.

But last season sort of dragged on...

Add in the disconnected growth plate problem...

And I'm just not sure we can commit to a whole 'nother season.

Though, season, is a relative term, as many hockey seasons here in Minnesota just simply never end.

We signed up for a 3x3 league and the first game is just around the corner.

I love the concept of 3x3.

Shorter ice, faster games, more chances to touch the puck.

I'm hoping this gives our little hockey player a chance to figure it out, if he wants to hit the ice full time, or if he's dragging his feet, literally.

No one wants to commit, the time, or the money, but man,, that TIME! to a full season of ice hockey, if it's going to be painful in more ways than one...

Time will tell.

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Shane Senescall Memorial Sportsmanship Award - 2015

Our boy just wrapped up his 3rd season of hockey... 

Will it be his last? 

Maybe. 

He doesn't love it, but he likes it, a lot.

Time will tell.

Regardless of what his hockey future holds, 

this season will go down with some amazing memories...

Including, his Mite Gold Team being the proud recipients of the 

Shane Senescall Memorial Sportsmanship Award.

 

Such an honor.

Awarded during the Bloomington Mite Jamorboree, the kids were presented with this trophy by Shane's parents.

(Shane was just 8 years old when he was killed in a tragic ski accident some years back.)

His parents presented the award, and we were all so so proud of our kids.

One of the Team Moms put together a card with a photo of the boys receiving the award, got each of them to sign it, and is sending it to Shane's parents.

#love

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Bloomington Mite Jamboree - 2015

The final big hurrah! for the Intermediate Mites is the Mite Jamboree in Bloomington. 

All of their hard work all season, boils down to 2 games that don't really mean anything at all, 

but are fun all the same.

 

They had a lot of fun this year, this team, even though the 'W' were few and far between.

 

They didn't give up, ever.

Who can ask for more than that?

At the end of their second game, the kids were awarded a very special honor.

The Shane Senescall Memorial Sportsmanship Award.

It is my understanding that Shane was an 8 year old Mite himself, when he was tragically killed in a skiing accident. This award is given out every year during the Mite Jamboree, in his memory.

Here is his father, presenting the award to our mites.

(Herding cats, again, anyone???_

You boys have a lot to be proud of.

I can't wait to see what next year holds!

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Seven.

Last year, his first, he chose 10.

He had his own reasons for choosing it, and I just simply loved it.

I love his heart.

One thing I've learned along this parenting journey though, is that kids sports numbers don't really stick with them here. There are lots of kids, lots of kids who want the same number.

Sometimes they line them up and go by height, passing out jerseys in order...

2, 3, 4, 5, 6....

(and you get #9 when you were hoping for 10! 

or, I should say, the MOM was hoping for the 10, the kid could care less)

And other times, kids get to pick but they feel no particular attachment to their old number ~ 

and they have their hearts set on a new number.

Ladies & Gentlemen, I introduce to you - 

Mite Gold Year 2 - 

Gust - #7

Seven.

It is now his age.

::cry::

And it's the number his #1 sports hero (His Daddy!) wears.

It's the number his sister chose for her Volleyball Jersey last season.

Yep.

Seven is a pretty good fit for him this year.

He looks so tall. 

So handsome.

So, ::gulp:: grown up!

(This is one of those times I need to bring along my SLR, not the stupid cell phone for pictures!)

And God Bless patient ever loving Eight.

She has no issues being dragged along at all hours of the day and night, 

weeknight and weekend, to support Seven.

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Minnesota Right of Passage ~

Hockey is big where we come from ~ 

It's a really big deal in High School...and so much fun to follow the 'kids' to the state high school hockey tournament each year ~ 

And my husband's Alma Mater?

Well, yes, the Fighting Sioux 

(I don't care what you heard in the news...they'll always be the Sioux)

are a pretty big deal too - 

At least at our house.

But there's a difference between just donning a jersey...

And actually putting on the foil, err, pads!

 Our little boy looks sooo grown up - I can hardly believe it.

 Heading out the door for his first official skate as a Burnsville Hockey 'Mite' ~ Be Still my HEART!

 I have mixed feelings about this...(as the mom.)

Crazy - I know.

I don't know if I want him to love it or to hate it.

& yes, I do know how much it costs...

I'm not worried about the equipment costs or the $400 a month ice rental bills that will be in our future should he want to continue playing ~ 

Sure, those suck. Big time...

I don't care about him being the best player out there, or the worst.

I want him to have a great time.

I want him to love what he's doing...

So far, so good.

It's not been easy for him - it's hard work - 

figuring out how the game goes - how the skates go, and how they stop.

Every time he gets knocked down in one way, shape, or form...he gets right back up and gives it another try - that's all we can ask for.

As for what the future holds for our little hockey player - well, none of us can be sure.

It's not the destination, it's the journey.

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