The Canopy is UP!

FINALLY!
Hubby and I put the canopy up this weekend.  It went much easier than me trying to do it myself.  If I wasn't so impatient…... that is one of my faults, what can I say?  

My hubby was placing the metal stakes in the ground and ended up bending one. **teehee**  He doesn't know his own strength.  I am a sucker for this big, tall, strong and handsome man who patiently puts up with me (and who buys me shoes too!).

Last year we put up a $70.00 canopy.  It didn't last because of a wind storm that bent the poles into a twist of metal everywhere.  Our area gets really bad wind.  It was open farm land at one time and there are not enough grown trees to block the wind. Our yard backs up into the woods, but even that doesn't stop the wind.

This year we spent more than double the price of a canopy hoping that this one would stand up to the weather.  The poles are stronger and the top has an opening so that wind can go thru it without lifting the entire thing up.

Here it is!  **Ta Da** The expensive better quality canopy that better not bend in the freakin' wind!

In case you didn't notice - there is a hockey stick on the ground that our dog decided to carry around like a bone or stick.  Even our dog loves hockey!

 

Minute Men

Since Brandon was 7 years old he has played hockey.  When he was 9 he joined the Valley Forge Colonial team and has played for them since.  Last week Brandon tried out for the Minute Men ice hockey team.  The Colonials is a Tier 2 team and Minute Men are a Tier 1 team.

• Explanation for those who don't know what that means in the hockey world.
• Tier 1 is the highest level of play, followed by Tier 2, then in-house clubs.
• Tier 1 teams are generally more competitive and play at a higher level.
• Tier 1 travels outside the geographic area.
• Tier 1 is a huge commitment of time and the money is more significant.

We did not want Brandon to join a Tier 1 team during his younger years.  We wanted him to play to have fun, gain a love for the game and enjoy childhood.  Our philosophy is that there would be plenty of time for intense competitive sports in the teenage years and we did not want to make sure Brandon was burned out before then. This philosophy worked for Brandon so far.  

Okay, back to the tryouts… 

Brandon got injured the first night of tryouts.  He sprained his shoulder and couldn't play hockey for a week.  We were all bummed that his first attempt at Tier 1 did not work out.

However
Today I got a call from the Minute Men.  They want Brandon to skate at the first practice this Saturday because there is a spot open for a defenseman.

WAHOOOOO!

I am crossing my finger for him and will be on pins and needles until Saturday.  If he makes the team I will be happy for Brandon.  If he does not make the team I must remind my son that at the end of the day its not the best hockey players that play at the highest levels of the sport, its the best athletes that decide to play hockey.

The Works!

In 1892 a Textile Machine Works factory was founded and prospered until it closed in 1957.  In April of 2003 this former textile machine company was transformed, renovated and opened as “The Works”.   "The Works" boasts an extra large game room for adults and kids.  It has a family friendly restaurant and a party room.  The newest addition is called the Ballocity, with tubes, slides, foam ball launchers and more.  

My niece, Morgan celebrate her 5th birthday at "The Works".  Mom & Dad invited her Pre-Kindergarten class.  She had so much fun as well as the other kids.

After cake and pizza my other niece, Maddox went off to have her own fun.  I didn't get many pictures of her because I couldn't find her!   It's a good thing her mom was shadowing along Max.

My nephew Tyce is 15 months old.  He has curly blonde hair like Brandon did as a toddler. 

Brandon found a game that you could shoot hockey pucks at and it would rate your speed.  Cousin Brandon showed Tyce how to use a hockey stick.   

Brandon and Uncle Todd played a game that won Morgan a lot of tickets.  The more tickets you won, the better a prize you get when you trade your tickets in.

By the end of the party I was ready for a nap. 

Robbie Glantz Clinic

Brandon had a great opportunity to help out during a Robby Glantz Hockey Clinic.
Robby Glantz is a power skating coach for NHL teams such as: the LA Kings, Anaheim Ducks & Atlanta Thrashers.  He specializes is teaching and motivating you hockey players worldwide.  

Zak & Brandon

Zak is a friend and fellow teammate of Brandon's.  Both of them had a lot of fun.

It was Brandon's first time participating in a youth hockey program.  I was proud to see him in a 'coaching' role.  He interacted with the youth during drills and instructions.
Not only was this a wonderful moment, but it will also look impressive on a college application.