Learn to Skate ~ Night 1

I’ll admit it.  I am not a skater.  I don’t enjoy it.  My feet cramp up in skates and it’s one of the rare things I just don’t want to try again if I can possibly help it.

So, when Hannah showed an interest in learning to skate  I knew I needed to start her in a class where Mommy could cheer her on from the side of the rink.  The unparented learn to skate class is for kiddos 5 and over but since she was going to be 5, 5 days before the last class I decided to see if I could register her.  I was excited when I could!

Next step, get my girl her skating gear.  We began at a second hand skate shop but the only skates they had were black hockey skates and the look on my sweeties face was so sad!  She would have worn them if they were her only option but since they didn’t have any in her size we moved on.  She was happy to see the exit door of that place!

We stopped at Walmart next to see what they might have and it was SO cool!  Check out these shelves.  One pair of little girl skates and they’re adjustable so fit Hannah perfectly!

Yes, those are pink and purple princess skates!  They practically jumped from her feet into our cart!  Oh yes, she was one happy girl!

Next up was helmet shopping.  We found it difficult to find one that fit her head properly and when we finally did it didn’t have a face mask.  With 55 kiddos on the ice and all ‘learning to skate’ that’s too many blades for this Mommy to put her on without a mask to protect her.  I was going to buy one but then Ange and Gavin found one they had and Gavin put it on her helmet.  Thanks so much!!

Tuesday night was the big night!  It was a frigid night with wind chills hovering around –35oC/-31oF() so it was one of the rare nights when we were going to the arena to get warm! 

Hannah’s friend Noah is in the same class.  Here are our 2 kiddos all set for their first big night!

The coaches came off the ice and taught the kids how to get up when they fell.  LOL…that was a lesson my sweetie would use often!!  She was excited and informed me that she wanted to get on the ice so that she could skate a ‘figure 8.’  You go girl!!

Instead, this was more how her lessons (and many other kids too) started out.

I was thrilled with her perseverance though as she got up time and time again and by the end of the class I really could see an improvement!

Way to go Hannah!  You did so well at your first lesson and I’m sure you will improve each and every week!

Soccer 2013

Hannah really enjoyed soccer last year and this year she was excited to go back.  She started off really well and was happy to go and play on the same team as her buddy Noah.

It was a pretty hot summer and unfortunately we had to miss a number of weeks due to vacation, sickness and other commitments.  I’m not sure if it was one of these things or a combination of many but Hannah’s desire to go to soccer waned greatly by the end of the season.  She went from running and chasing the ball to begging me not to go and sitting on the grass playing with the clippings.

In the end I decided to end her season early by one week when we were leaving for Disney the following day.  She was so happy not to have to go.  This isn’t like her so I’m not really sure what happened.  She went from a girl jumping with excitement on soccer nights to being almost in tears when she knew it time to go.  We cut our losses and called it a season.

All of this happened more than a month ago and since then Hannah has spoken fondly of playing soccer so I’m not sure what 2014 will hold.  I’m not going to write it off based on a less than stellar season but before I sign her up I want her input and commitment.  She’s a speedy little runner so if she chooses to continue I know she’ll do well but I also know it needs to be something she wants to do, not just something I want for her.  Time will tell.

For now, I leave you with a pic from the beginning of the season when Hannah was ‘all in!’

Hannah’s First Tap Recital

Tonight was a fun evening as Grandma, Grandpa, Papa and I attended Hannah’s first tap recital.   She was standing so proud as we entered the gym to watch her dance!At one point families were invited to dance with their girls and Hannah quickly pulled us onto the dance floor.  Fun!  I skipped out for a moment to capture this sweet picture. 

Hannah really enjoyed her 8 week tap class and I’m just sorry that the night has been changed for the next session to a night that does not work with our schedule.  Hopefully in the fall they’ll move it back to Tuesdays. 

Here is my sweetie on the final evening of being 3, dancing with heart….and umm, movement!  Personal space is not yet on my kiddos radar.

Holding her final pose….even after the other girls had stood up.  That’s my independent little girl! 

My little tap graduate complete with the rose each student received from their teachers. 

I’m so proud of you Hannah!  You danced beautifully sweetie!!

Olympic Excitement is in the Air!

I’ll admit it….I’m a HUGE fan of the Olympics!  I love what they stand for:  Unity, fun, dedication, hard work and healthy competition.  As I sit here watching the Opening Ceremonies I can’t help but be in awe as I watch the nations gather peacefully, side by side.  What an awesome opportunity is offered to us every 2 years as the world comes together for the Olympic games!

I fondly remember watching Nadia Comaneci in the 1976 Olympics held in nearby Montreal.  I had dreams of somehow competing for Canada in 1980!  Heh…considering I was never an athlete I now wonder how that was going to happen but I guess that dream goes along with the one where I was going to marry a price after watching Charles and Diana wed.  LOL!  I guess I just dreamed big!    Gotta love childhood dreams!  I hope Hannah dreams big and I have a feeling with her spunky personality she’ll do just that!

Tonight as I watch the ceremonies there is a sense of excitement in the air as one of my cousins who lives in London is part of the cast!  I wasn’t able to see him on TV amidst the crowds (he was part of the first portion depicting the industrial revolution) but just knowing he was there, experiencing this once in a lifetime event in person had me so excited for him!  Way to go Chris!!

The parade of nations is always exciting!  I couldn’t help myself as the Canadian athletes entered the stadium and I sat here with a huge smile and applauded.  Super excited to see what Canada will do these games!  One of the girls in Hannah’s gym is competing in artistic gymnastics.  It’s neat to think that the young gal I watch practice week after week while Hannah is in her class is there representing our great country along with one of the coaches from our gym!  Cool!!

One moment that surprised me a bit but in a good way was the overwhelming feeling of pride and thankfulness that filled me when the Chinese athletes entered the stadium!  I burst into tears as I am still humbled and thankful that China blessed me with one of their own and allowed Hannah to come to Canada so that we can be a family!!  I hope this feeling never, ever leaves!  The last time the Summer Olympics were held it was the summer of 2008 and they were in Beijing.  I remember thinking often that Hannah was probably already born and was there the same time as the Olympics were happening.  Little did I know that God would allow her to be so very young and not be born until the following February!

I hope you take time to enjoy some of the Olympics over the next 2 weeks.  Cheer on the athletes who have prepared for years for this very moment!

Hannah and I?  We’ll be cheering for Canada and China! 

Go Teams!!!

Heh…Look at my little pumpkin!  This picture was taken Saturday November 14th, 2009 when she was just 8 months old.  This is the day that she woke up as a Chinese citizen and went to sleep as a Canadian citizen after we travelled home to Canada.  A momentous day for sure!

Look Who’s Playing Soccer!!

Last night was Hannah’s very first soccer ‘game’ ever!  SO CUTE!!  I love that our local soccer club has a 3yo age group!   I’m thankful that Ange mentioned earlier in the spring that she’d signed up Noah.  I was able to sign Hannah up in the same time slot and the two of them are having fun playing on the same team.  I love the friendship that Hannah shares with each of Ange’s boys!!
The season is a short 6 weeks (5 for us as we were on vacation last week) which I think is a great option for 3yo’s.  I’ll see where her interest is after this session to see if we sign up again for a full season next year.
Rather than playing actual games it’s more of fun skills with the parents participating on the field. 
Her team started with a fun game of ‘Red Light, Green Light’ and Hannah did SO well!  It was fun to watch her and cute when she originally thought that ‘red light’ meant to pick up the ball and run to her coach.  Heh!

All that running meant a quick water break for our little sprouts.
Last night was also picture night.

Noah is used to Hannah’s ‘lovings’.  The other little guy…not so much!    Could these two be any cuter?
At 3 I’m sure this will be only one of many of these moments.  Maybe she’s dreaming about her first goal?
So, Hannah’s first night of soccer was fun plus time spent with a friend!  Way to go Hannah!!