Super Bowl Party

 Every year we host a Super Bowl party since our boys were youngsters.

This year was extra special because my son, Zachary's favorite team is the Broncos.

 He was confident the entire time that the Bronco's would win!!

Zachary's Half-Time Show

There was a time when the Philadelphia Eagles were Zachary's favorite football team.

Super Bowls are a big deal at our house. 

Especially in 2005 when the Eagles made it to the big game!

 During half time Zachary put on his own show by using his sneaker as a football.

Unfortunately both Zachary and the Eagles Quarterback, 

Donovan McNabb couldn't get the job done!

Zach lost his shoe.

The Eagles lost the Super Bowl.

 Zachary gave up on the Eagles and now likes the Denver Bronco's.  The Bronco's made it to the Super Bowl once since Zachary started following them, but they lost too.  

This time, however, he didn't give up on the Bronco's and every year looks forward to his team possibly participating in the Super Bowl!!

How can you let him play hockey?

Over the years I have been asked by parents "Why do you encourage your son to play hockey?".

When Brandon was 4 he begged his father and I to play ice hockey.  Hockey is an expensive sport, so we decided to get Brandon skating lessons first.  He loved being on the ice.  When he turned five we bought him his first pair of hockey skates.  At six he was playing on his first hockey team.  

He chose to play hockey.  We encourage him to play well.

I was even approached by a parent who sons plays football, and she wanted to know "How can you let your son play such a violent sport?"  

I do agree that hockey is way rougher than football.  Players get checked, high sticks in the face and pucks are flying.  Football you pointlessly run in to people.  =D

Bantam Level 2012

From an outsiders point of view, I can see why hockey seems like a violent sport.  But in fact, we fans all know that ice hockey is very physically demanding and yet it also requires skill and finesse, and given the fact that you’re playing on ice, there are always going to be some moments when you’re a little bit out of control. Big hits are part of what makes the game as exciting as it is.  

Midget U16 2013

Sure, hockey can cause injuries. Just like any other sport.  However, if you look at statistics almost 215,000 children are treated in the ER from football injures every year vs. the 20,000 ER visits from hockey players.  

Midget U16 2013

These days, it’s tough for parents to decide whether to enroll their children in organized sports such as hockey or football. Yes, physical safety matters. But is our collective obsession with protecting our children from harm threatens to turn out a generation of children ill-equipped to deal with their future?  It seems to me that children in modern America are growing up in a country paralyzed by complacency and fear.  

My son wrote an essay on sportsmanship for an English class that I thought was pretty amazing.  My favorite paragraph:

I learned to listen to and respect the coach. I learned to listen to the team captain. I learned how important my role was as a team captain. I learned how to skate better. I learned how to protect myself. I learned that I had to wait my turn to play. I learned that I was not the centre of the universe, but a team member. I learned how to be punctual and stick to a schedule. I learned how to be responsible for my own body and for the bodies of my team mates and opponents. I learned that it was better to obey the rules than to sit in the penalty box. I learned to be organized and responsible for my hockey equipment. I learned what sportsmanship was. Sportsmanship is a style and an attitude, and it can have a positive influence on everyone around you.

Our children need to learn the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, toughness, and competitiveness. It good for children to learn to strive, to succeed, and most importantly, how to fail. When the time comes, let your kid play football, or hockey... or whatever, and let him decide for himself. He may break his leg or suffer a concussion, but he will be far better off for it over the course of his life than if he stays inside and plays video games.

Steel City Cup Tournament

We drove 5 hours to Pittsburgh for a tournament Brandon's travel team participated in.

I wish we would have had more time to tour the city. 

There were a lot of sites I would have liked to see.

Photo Credit: Todd Miller

Brandon's team played in the consolation game (3rd vs. 4th). The consolation game was on the same day as Super Bowl night.  Todd wasn't happy about going away the weekend of the Super Bowl.

Even though Todd was grumpy about the Super Bowl, he did admit that he had a great weekend with the other parents.
~

During one of the games, Brandon hit his head pretty hard during a boarding penalty (which is a penalty on the other player).  Brandon was having severe headaches. I wouldn't let him play during one of the games and let him sleep.

Brandon is a defenseman and captain of his team.  He was upset that he couldn't play.

I like when Brandon knocks another player over as if they weigh like a butterfly.

 He is really good of helping the goalie keep the puck out of the net,

 and is not afraid not knock a few kids over.

That's Brandon's rear end sticking up. ;-)

 He was not happy with the call the ref made.

In the end it didn't matter because his team won 3rd place!

 ~

As far as the Super Bowl is concerned, we made it home before kick off.  

Me?  I didn't care one way or the other.  

Now if it was the Stanley Cup…. we'd have a serious issue!

Snow Lacrosse

Zachary

What a silly boy!

Playing Lacrosse in the snow...

wearing shorts….

when it's 16F degrees outside.

Why?  

You ask.

Because his football got stuck in the tree.

GO TEAM!

My husband is a high school teacher.

Every year the students and faculty look forward to ONE particular RIVALRY football game.

They celebrate the day before with a HUGE pep-rally.

The stands are filled with students.

There are no seats to be found!

Whenever a play is stopped, the band plays loud, inspiring tunes.

At the end of the game, the Raiders celebrate a VICTORY! 

Thank you for visiting!

Super Bowl Party

It has become a tradition to host a super bowl party at our house.  

Todd starts the party off by having a pre-game poker party.  

Zachary beat seven men and won $90.00! 

I tend to over do it with the food because I am always afraid I wont have enough.  I had so many left overs. This is my left-over spread!

We topped off the evening with a Super Bowl theme cake from Costco.

I'm neither a Giants nor Patriots fan. So I didn't care who won. 

I enjoyed the Madonna 1/2 time show and some of the commercials.

I hope those who watched enjoyed the game!