Aiden's Best Game of the Year

It was always going to be one of the toughest games of the year. Aiden has been home the last 3 days with a low grade fever, the team which is in 6th (out of 10) place was now going to play the second place team, and to top it all off, the game starts at 7 am ! ! !
Aiden was assigned to play defense but we all know he is like the team mascot - a shark. He circles about in amongst the melé watching for the action to develop and an opening to strike. He then uses his secret weapon, the rapid sprint where he gets about a half stride lead on his opponent. They can get tantalizingly close to catching him, but no closer than 12 inches away from the puck. Either by one handedly steering that puck, or by kicking it forward out of the maelstrom, he strikes out quickly down the ice. More than once, the opponent stuck their stick in his skates and tripped him yet the referees never called a single tripping incident in the game. He got two goals this game against a very tough team. We are very proud that he played with skill and good sportsmanship. It was his best game of the year, and it happened to be the last regular season game. Now a tournament and the playoffs. Click here to see a few photos of the game.

Lexy on the Luge Run

Today is the first time Lexy went on the luge run. She went down like a bullet faster and farther than Aiden. ... giggling all the way down the hill.
Allan

waiting for Italy to Win

Waiting for the Fairies

The Old Spaghetti Factory

Back in the 60's a young guy from Oshawa would take his wheels to drive "the strip" on Yonge Street, or walk the hippy streets of Yorkville before it all became chique and trendy for the rich and famous. We would usually stop in at The Old Spaghetti Factory as well as it was considered one of the must do stops in Toronto. Forty five years later, The Old Spaghetti Factory is just the same - a very good value for money in an atmosphere that drips character from every nook and crany. Larger than life, the Old Spaghetti Factory is a good place to visit after a day touring the Home Show in Toronto. In the photo are our friends L - R ... Linda H, Bill T, David S, Sharon S, and Wenda.

Anton's Giant Burger

Wenda and I took Anton, our grandson and Natalie out for dinner since Terry is away in Honduras. Lets say that Teddys is a bit different because their portions are on the L A R G E size.  This burger is huge, but in true teen style, he finished it all and had room for cake.  It was nice to get together again.

Quinten's Hockey Game

With all the attention to Aiden, it is about time that we had a good look at Quinten's game. He has been taking weekly power skating lessons and now it is really paying off. He is getting to be quite fast on the ice and stick handling as well. Aiden had two games this weekend. I managed a couple of good shots of Aiden on a scoring run. Click here to see more pictures of this story.

Doing Video Games Together

We visited Wenda's aunts and parents in Lindsay this afternoon, but we did not travel alone. Lexy and Quinten came along with us. Quinten is showing his great grandfather how he scores with his "DS" game. It amazes me that here is a 5 year old kid that can navigate through all the written questions to get the game working and he cannot even read yet.

Me n Papa

I just get seated on the couch in front of the HD TV with the soccer game on, when in comes my buddy Lexy. Not content to sit on the overstuffed couch, she perches herself atop my shoulders - then its peekabo while holding on by my glasses with sticky fingers. Ahhhh the joys of grandparenthood - wouldn't miss it for all the tea in China (never touch the stuff ).

Valentines Dinner

This was originally supposed to be a dinner celebration for my birthday which was a few weeks ago, but since it was the day before Valentine's it seems to be better suited for that purpose. The food was great and the company was even better. Nice to get out to dinner with Wenda's parents. We spent a delightful hour visiting Wenda's aunt Nancy who has been in hospital for a couple weeks now waiting for the doctors to get an action plan together to make her better. We wish her well.

After a Hard Day at School

She has just learned two new letters of the alphabet, and learned to spell her name. Whew! After a hard day at work, Lexy still manages to have that radiant smile when she returns home to her chores - cleaning up the playroom and keeping the boys in line.

Lunchtime at Kirbys

It was just about lunchtime when I noticed this Coopers hawk sitting in a tree in our front yard. I then noticed the bits of red about its feet and realized it was truly lunchtime for this beautiful creature.

Playing Above Your Rank

Aiden's team sits 7th in a league of 10 in Clarington. Today's opponent sits 3rd, but that was no guarantee of the outcome of today's game. His team got off to a rocky start in the first half down 3 to nothing, but they were not about to concede. They fought back tooth and nail til eventually they tied it all up 3 - 3. One of the opponents who was easily twice Aiden's weight nailed Aiden to the boards with the full force of his body and another took a poke at him after the buzzer. Contrary to his initial instinct, he held his cool. The team is quite proud of their accomplishment and we are proud that Aiden worked hard and played like a gentleman.

One Assist Today

Aiden's new skates were not sharpened properly at the store where we got them (off by 10 degrees), so this game was a lot easier on him with the correct sharpening. He was a bit more disciplined as the game got going and played his role as defenceman better. Still, when he gets hold of the puck he wants to take it right downtown to the other end.

Q Blows Them Out

It was a PA day and the kids were home today. Wenda and I took them to the kiddie swimming pool where we all had a ball. The boys were diving in the water and I think Quinten took in a gallon of it. Tracy prepared dinner and Wenda made the cake for a little family birthday party for the mighty Q. As is the tradition, he gets to blow out the candles first, then they are re-lit and the other 2 kids get to blow them out as well ... of course one must keep Q from participating in that second round. Click here for a few more pics.