A-Mac and I stopped at the Playdium today for a little batting practice.

Last weekend we went twice. The first 15 minutes last weekend A-Mac didn't even make contact with one pitch. She hadn't swung a bat in over a month. She kept looking at me like I was going to yell at her. I continued to provide positive support, and kept telling her she had to adjust her timing. She eventually worked it out herself.

A-Mac made good contact today. Because of the cold the balls are heavy and can sting your hands.

MacDaddy NobleKing Tournament

MacDaddy had a game in King City, Ontario at 7am on Friday morning as part of a hockey tournament. Woke up at 4:30am, woke MacDaddy up at 5am, in the car driving at 5:15am, game over and at work before 9am. MacDaddy played well, so did the Spitfires, but other teams too strong. 0-3 for tournament. Did some skating in the backyard on Sunday. Picture is waiting for arena to open around 6am.

Backyard Rink Workouts

MacDaddy and I spent 30-45 minutes working on hockey drills on the backyard rink. I never played the game so all I know is from watching and listening at the kids practices/games... and a little Coaches Corner during Hockey Night in Canada. We had spent a good 30 minutes before these two videos receiving and making passes. I am happy to report I broke no bones standing on the ice in my boots. I am continually amazed at the progress MacDaddy is making this being only his fourth year on skates... and really the first year with great coaching... I hope I am reinforcing the right mechanics....

They Are Revolutionizing the Blanket Industry

Hockey Practice, Sat Jan 2, 2010

MacDaddy and I were up at 6:45am to go to the first hockey practice of 2010. The temperatures had been in the high 30's (that's Fahrenheit) the last few days. We got a cold snap back today. It was 5 (Fahrenheit) this morning. When we bought the car I couldn't understand why anyone would have a steering wheel heater. I now understand.

Christmas Day

Mom and Dad's wake up call came at 6:30 am. Lil' Lefty and MacDaddy were

quite anxious to get downstairs to get to down to business...opening presents.Santa came. No coal in these stockings! A-mac stocking and presents

off to side. Not everything would fit under the tree.Lululemon sweatshirt and pants for Lil' LeftyCoach bag for A-mac.I think he likes it!

Fried turkey for dinner.

Lil'Lefty and MacDaddy say our dinner blessing.

Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!

Christmas Eve

One gift to open and cookies for Santa.

Christmas Eve Skate

I spent seven (7), I said "seven", hours earlier today driving around to find the "perfect gift". I hate to report there is not a lot of selection in Canada. Even thought about driving to Buffalo. Oh well. The weather report predicts rain tomorrow and temperatures above freezing for a few days. It was nice all three kids got in a skate before summer hits. I figure if we live in Canada at least we could have a white Christmas.

Believe!

MacDaddy's new message on his dry erase board in his bedroom.

Christmas Tree Pizza

A-mac and Lil' Lefty make a pepperoni Christmas Tree pizza for lunch.

Olympic Torch Relay - Right Near Our House

The Olympic Torch Relay made it's way through Mississauga and was a few miles from our house. It is the 51st day of the Torch relay across Canada's many communities En route to Vancouver (55 more days to go). The Relay began on October 30th in Victoria, BC. A-Mac and I braved the cold temps and saw the torch. Vancouver 2010.
The Olympic Cauldron will be lit in Vancouver February 12, 2010.

Backyard Rink - SUCCESS!!!

I had a moment of "warmth" when

MacDaddy started skating on the backyard rink.

Mark the date, December 19th.

Mac Pond is open for the season.

Gingerbread Houses and Gingerbread MAN

A-mac's Gingerbread house

Lil' Lefty's Gingerbread house

MacDaddy's Gingerbread Man

Backyard Rink - Phase Three

I have a good feeling about the ice this year. Phase Three is almost complete. 16 hours of water is in the tarp within the frame. Now all we need is some good ol' fashion Canadian cold!!!

We did have to did have to skip a day of showers because all of our water was diverted to the backyard. Just kidding :-)

Backyard Rink - Phase Two

Phase One was building the frame.

The frame has to be built before the ground freezes.

Phase Two is putting the tarp in the frame.

I am happy to report that Phase Two was successfully completed last night after work with the help of MacDaddy & Lil' Lefty.

Let the cold temps come!!!

St. Michaels Majors

It was Erindale Day at the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors game. So I can remember, Erindale is one of the 8 hockey organizations in the Mississauga Hockey League. About 1,000,000 live in Mississauga, Ontario. The Majors are in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). As I have learned, I think, the OHL is a professional league. Players have given up the possibility of a scholarship. Players have been drafted by NHL teams, but this is not the shuttle back and forth to the NHL. This is more like AA baseball (or even A baseball). MacDaddy and I went with his team and watched the Majors beat the Ottawa 67's 8-0, and only one fight.

O Christmas Tree!

Seems we are running out of time to visit the tree farm in Milton this year. With Christmas two weeks ago, and the kids asking when we were going to get a Christmas tree, we jumped in the Yukon and headed down Lakeshore to Port Credit where we purchased this years Christmas Tree, a 7ft Fraser Fur for the bargain price of $50, from a short little Italian man who move to Canada 52 years ago. He came to Canada from Italy and opened a butcher shop in Little Italy in downtown Toronto. He retired many years ago, and sells Christmas trees around the holiday and flowers in the Spring. Sweet old man who enjoyed MacDaddy and Lil' Lefty's song and dance with Christmas tree branches.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

Much pleasure thou can'st give me;

How often has the Christmas tree

Afforded me the greatest glee!

Reason to be Callus

A few weeks back I noticed that I had a callus (or dry skin) on the outside of my pinkie finger. The odd thing was that I had the same thing on both pinkie fingers. I assumed that with old age came a few spots and some changes in my sweet, subtle skin. Just getting old. It was weird that they were the same spot on each finger.

This morning as I was lacing my son's skates for his recurring Saturday AM hockey practice I noticed that when I am tightening skates the laces rub against these parts of my fingers. I guess that explains why MacMom has the same rough spots. And I thought we were just bonding in our old age.

Happy 11th Birthday Lil' Lefty

We are so proud and grateful of the girl you have grown up so fast to become. We celebrate the way you put your heart, determination and strive for perfection in all you do. Thank you for the wonderful memories and smiles you bring to our family. We are so thankful that our lives were blessed by a terrific daughter like you! Happy 11th Birthday Lil' Lefty!!

MacDaddy's Good Deed for the Day

MacDaddy came home for lunch today. After eating his chesse quesadilla, he said he was going outside. Five minutes later, I went to the front window to check on him...couldn't find him. I grab my coat, throw on my boots and head outside in search of MacDaddy. He is down the street shoveling the driveway of an elderly man who lives alone and then proceeds to shovel the driveway of our neighbor R across the street. He didn't ask them, didn't tell them...just did it! What a selfless act of doing something good for another with no recognition... not calling attention to the himself for doing it and not being done in return for a favor. He really is nice, kind and caring 9 year old boy!