Disney Junior Field Hockey Tournament {Part 2}

I think it is normal for players to be nervous before a big tournament but is it normal for parents to be too? I might be abnormal but mad was I stressed. It had nothing to do with how B and her fellow teammates would play. It had ever thing to do with the "unknown"! So I thought I would share with you some lessons learn on our first Disney Tournament.*

The first lesson that I learned was that while ESPN's Wide World of Sports is a Disney park, it is not easy to get to if you are using Disney's complimentary resort transportation. Especial if your child is playing in one of the first games of the day! I can not tell you how happy I was that I made the last minute decision to rent a car.

The second lesson I learned was the importance of water breaks for parents too. As a mother of three active kiddos I always am reminding my little athletes to drink plenty of water but I don't think about my need for water. Well all I can say is that water on a super hot July day in Florida is not just your friend but a totally necessity!!! I know understand why there are stories of parents being sent to the hospital from this tournament. 

ESPN Wide World of Sports will let all who enter their park bring in a water bottle. All I can say is do it! If you don't take care of yourself, how can you take care of your child!?!

I already knew this but it is such a joy to watch your child play a sport that does nothing but make them smile. But when they play at Disney their personal joy is just over the top! B's team was treated like super-star athlete and they played like them too.

And the last lesson is kind of sad one....the only thing that is wrong with children's sports is the adults. I was heartbroken over the way some coaches yelled at their player. I have yet to find an example of when it is ok to belittle a child in public. My own daughter walked off the field more than once filled with worry for the opposing team due to the way their coach treated them; not the score of the game. I think that is saying something.

So the take away for me is that it does not matter what place B's team came in. What mattered the most is that B's coach did nothing but her best to help these girls play their best and have fun. If B stops playing field hockey tomorrow she will still have a love for the game thanks to her coach. And for that I am forever grateful!!!

***I am totally not a Disney Sports expert as this was our first time there but hopefully not the last!***

Disney Junior Field Hockey Tournament {Part 1}

As you might remember, if you are a long-time reader, B was picked to be a part of her field hockey club's "elite" team back in early spring. Even since making this team, B and her teammates have been working non-stop to improve their game for the last tournament of the season. Why were they working so hard - because their finally tournament was the Disney Junior Field Hockey Classic! 

So last Thursday B and I got up at an ungodly hour and got on a flight to Orlando. (If you knew me in real life you would understand that getting up before 5am was partially a miracle for me!) We had a nice flight down and got to our hotel before lunch. Which was great since I wanted to get B settled in before her big day on Friday. 

This was the first tournament that B has ever been in that had three days of "play". Three games on Friday and Saturday then Sunday was a "sudden death" round. If you ask me the fact that this was the longest tournament at the nicest facility these girls have ever played at means there was a lot of pressure put on these U12 girls. Luckily B and all of her teammates rose to the challenge!

They had a great first day; 2 wins and 1 loss. Due to how well the girls played the first day they were placed in a higher pool the next day. An honor and challenge rolled into one!

The second day was definitely harder with 1 tie and 2 losses. But since the girls kept all of the losses close they finished in the upper half of all teams combined.

I would be lying if I said that I was not stressed about the last day. The first game was close but they won! Unfortunately they did not win their second game but they played so well. The fact they never gave up was wonderful to watch as a parent!

B is such a competitive girl that she has definitely been bitten by the "Disney Tournament" bug due to its higher level of play. So I have a feeling this is not our last time at Disney Field Hockey Tournament!  

Wiped Out!

B and I are finally back from her tournament at the ESPN's Wide World of Sports. We had a wonderful time. The girls played their hearts out and it was a joy to watch them.

I sure you are not surprised to hear that B is wiped out from three solid days of games under the Florida sun. What I am counting on is that you also understand that I am wiped out too! Please give me a day to get back to normal (plus go through over 250 pictures) and then I will tell you all about the tournament.

The Wonderful World of Disney

B and I are off to the wonderful world of Disney but not for a vacation. We will not go on a single ride. We will not see a single show. We are going for one reason only - field hockey. When B made her travel team back in March we knew that they would be attended a national tournament at the very end of the season at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. 

Our bags are packed and we are ready for this big event. B and her teammates are all so excited, as they should be! They have all worked so hard and I really hope no matter what happens, win or lose, they enjoy this tournament.

While B and I are away I have some wonderful friends who will be guest blogging for me. Then I will be back on Tuesday to fill you in with all of the details. 

Go Rapids!!!

Happenings {Part 2}

B's spring/summer field hockey season started off strong. She has really grown as a player since she started playing travel. She is just a joy to watch - well at least for me and Hubby. What can I say other than we are her biggest fans!

Unfortunately things have not been moving along so perfectly since B's last tournament over Memorial Day weekend. During the course of the tournament B's feet took a beating. So much so that she told us about it. If you knew my daughter personally you would know that this really is a big. She never complains about the bumps and bruises of being an athlete. 

We should have known it was bad when she willing to subjected herself to an ice-bath. Hubby swears by them but I have never been in that much pain that I would willing ask for one! 

As much as all of us wished that B just needed was some rest and ice we were all wrong. My poor girl has a (maybe) stress fracture! B has been on crutches since the beginning on June and an air boot for the past two weeks. If all goes well B will be able to slowly start practicing this Monday.

In the meantime, she still puts on her uniform twice a week and goes to her team practices. Boot and all! Please don't think ill of me but it is really boring watching your child just stand at a field for two hours. Maybe I should focus more on her dedication? 

Or maybe I just need to find some better hair products? NoVa humidity is not kind my friends!!!!

Sports Night Dinner

Weeknight dinners have been trying this Spring to say the least! Three kiddos and four sports teams means that I have to make sure everyone gets the right field at the right time with the right equipment. (I might have been overheard saying "you should never leave home without your mouth-guard" more than once.) I am happy to report that I have yet to drop a child off at the wrong field but making a wonderful dinner every night has been hard.

Yes Hubby grills when his schedule allows. Of course I use my crock-pot a ton. But the dinner meals that I have become my new "go-to" are sandwiches. With a little bit of planning everything can be prepared ahead of time and then once we get home from the fields all I have to do is assemble the sandwiches.

Our new favorite sandwich is mini meatball subs. I made the meatballs ahead of time (basically just balled sausage since they have to be egg and gluten-free) and add them to tomato sauce. Then when we got home I reheated the meatballs and sauce. Place them on mini-Italian rolls for the boys and a gluten-free roll for B. Topped all of them with fresh mozzarella cheese and placed under the boiler until the cheese started to melt. A little fresh basil and we were all set. 

So easy and so much better than chicken nuggets if you ask me! Do you have any "dinner" sandwiches that I should try?

Spring Flick 2014

This past weekend B had a tournament up in field hockey country - Pennsylvania. She and I packed up the car after school on Friday and headed up past the Mason-Dixon Line full of excitement. It might sound weird but we were both really looking forward to the weekend.

B was looking forward to playing with her travel team-mates. These girls have been practicing together for a year and it is wonderful to see how they have all grown as players. Personal, I love seeing how much they have learned to trust each other and empower each other.

I was looking forward to watching B play and not be distracted. For the past two rec seasons I have been B's coach. While I love it, it does mean that on game day I can't just focus on B. And I can't even take a single picture. So I was in heaven this weekend cheering on my girl and taking way too many picture!

And I am not going to lie, it was nice to have some alone time with my little girl. She is just growing up too fast and any time we have a chance to be alone is priceless to me.

PS...I didn't play at all but I am wiped out! Why is being a "travel parent" so exhausting!?!

Away Games

Friday after school B and I packed up the car and headed north of the Mason-Dixon Line for a field hockey tournament.

Wish her good luck!

Tournament Weekend

Did y'all enjoy the long weekend?  Around these parts a long weekend means it's a tournament weekend and this past weekend was no different. Hubby got to take B to her last tournament so it was my turn to take her. Honestly I am not sure who was looking forward to this tournament more, B or me?

I hope you will forgive me but there was no way I could not post a ton of pics of B. She played so well and clearly had fun for the whole tournament!

I just love watching B play field hockey. Win or lose, B left the court with a huge smile after every game which makes it all worthwhile!

Harvest Hockey 2013

***This post was to be published last Monday but was delayed due to L's allergic reaction and hospital stay***

We are enjoying a four day weekend due to Teacher Work Days. So what are we doing with all our free-time? Sleeping-in and relaxing...nah. Tackling home improvement projects...not so much. Enjoying a romantic get-a-way...I wish!

No, we are doing what many families with sporty children do. We are away at a field hockey tournament!

I know that I have told you about B's field hockey tournaments from the Spring but this one was different. This tournament was part of B's step-by-step list of how to make the USA Olympic Field Hockey team. Please don't get me wrong, I am not delusional and thinking that my 11 year old is a shoe in for the Olympic team. However, I do love how she makes lists to obtain her goals! 

B's team played two games on Saturday and one game on Sunday. Knowing that three games of hockey over two days might be more than M and L could handle my parents came to the tournament to help out. It really was perfect, Hubby and I could actually watch B play and my parents got to see both of B's goals from the weekend.

The girls won one game, tied one game and lost a game. Not the best tournament record for her club but not that bad either. To me the most important thing was that B gave it her all and never stopped smiling! 

I am sure that parents feel great pride in having their child make an Olympic team or be awarded a college scholarship, like B dreams of getting, but I know that is like the chances of being struck by lighting. What I am so very proud of is how hard she tries each and ever time she walks onto the pitch! I believe that being a hard working team player will take her far in life.

B-day Details

I think it is safe to say that B had a great birthday! We started the day with her rec field hockey game. Even though the girls were not able to have rec practice due to the weather they still did a nice job. The girls tied 3 to 3. Plus B had two assists and a goal! The only problem with the game is that as a coach I could not take a single picture. I am going to have to teach Hubby how to take game day photos.

After the game we made our way to P.F. Chang's.  B was overjoyed to order an entree sized gluten-free Lemon Chicken. For a skinny gal she can really eat a lot after a game but since she ran all game long I am sure that she needed it.

Later on Saturday night, B unwrapped her gifts. B was kind enough to allow L to help her unwrap gifts. L might have gotten carried away and unwrapped gifts before B was ready! But B just rolled with it and was happy with her birthday goodies.

One of B's birthday wishes was to invite her neighborhood friends over for cupcakes. But in true B style she started up a game of touch football. I had to call the kids over three times before they even thought about the cupcakes. I don't think that I would have to been called more than once for a cupcake!

Once the kids all made it up onto the deck, everyone sang to B. For whatever reason the addition of "cha-cha-cha oh al al" still makes me laugh. And the fact that my little girl had the day that she envisioned made my heart fill with joy! 

TGIF IX

My baby girl is turning 11 tomorrow and I am just not ready for her to be that old. When I look at her I still see her as a baby but she keeps telling me that tomorrow she will official be a tween. And let me tell you she has fully embraced being a tween even if I have not. So I thought that I would dedicate this TGIF post to my daughter B.

{1} Birthday Lunch

For all of the kiddos we let them pick what they would like for dinner but this year B has asked for a lunch out rather that a dinner. After her game tomorrow we will head to PF Changs for lunch and I tell you that she already knows what she would like to order - Gluten Free Lemon Chicken. She gets it every single time!

{2} Zella Girl

B just loves workout clothing, probably since she is always on the go. Plus the most important things to her are field hockey and jogging club. So it came as no surprise that she wanted almost anything from Nordstrom's Zella Girl Line. At times I fear that B will walk down the aisle in work-out attire. 

{3} The House of Hades

B cannot wait for The House Of Hades to be released! She knows that she will not get this book on her birthday but it was a "must" on her B-day wish list. Secretly - I love Rick Riordan's books and I can't wait to read this book too! Please tell me that I am not the only one!!!

{4} Cra-Z-Loom

I am not sure how I missed this but Cra-Z-Loom is something that all tweens need! Friendship bracelets are so out! It turns out that rubber band bracelets are where it is at now a days. Never mind the fact that the bracelets remind me of too many trips to the orthodontist...that is neither here nor there!

{5} Frosting

I know that Ms. Deen is not very popular right now but I must give credit where credit is due. B simply loves Ms. Deen's cream cheese frosting! B asked that we invite the cul de sac over for dessert tomorrow night. And she did not care at all what kind of cake I baked as long as it was covered in Ms. Deen's frosting. Not going to lie...I am looking forward to eating it too!

You can also find me at A. Liz Adventures, Carolina Charm, Hello! Happiness and The Good Life Blog.

TGIF VII

We did it! We made it through the first week of school!!! Everyone is a little wiped-out, myself included but everyone had a great week. Let hope next week goes just as well!

{1} Football

Last night was the official start of the NFL football season and Hubby could not be happier. He is a die-hard Redskins fan and he is doing his best to make sure his children are too. I can't even count the number of times my kiddos shouted-out "No Pressure...No Diamonds!"

{2} Panera Salad Dressing

While I was Target shopping for all the needed back-to-school supplies I saw that they had started selling Panera's salad dressing. I have really been loving the Fuji Apple dressing. It might not be as good as having Panera make a salad for me but it is pretty close!

{3} Lunch Dates

L started allergy shots three weeks ago and he is doing great. He is such a brave boy - not a single tear! So this week I decided to treat him to lunch at Moe's. It was so nice to have a little one on one time with L. And I just loved listening to all of his reasons for why it was ok that he was double-dipping his chips. Too funny!

{4} Call Me Coach

Some how I have become the head coach of B's field hockey team. I am still not sure how that happened but I am rolling with it. And I am using this new "job" as a reason to do some shopping! I want to look cute yet stay warm at our late night practices. What do you think of this hoodie?

{5} Cheers!

I have to say that I am so looking forward to cuddling on the sofa with Hubby and an adult beverage tonight. Surviving the first week back is worthy of a cocktail if you as me!

I hope you all have a great weekend!!!!

Thanks to A. Liz Aventures, Carolina Charm, The Good Life Blog and Hello! Happiness for hosting this Friday's link-up.

Memorial Day Weekend

I am sure our weekend was like many of your's - super busy!  I don't think that we could have packed more activities into our long weekend even if we tried!!!  The weekend started with B's field hockey team playing in a tournament in Richmond, VA.

Hubby was more than happy to accompany our number 30 to her second tournament.  By both accounts it sounds like they had a wonderful time in Richmond.  Friday night they enjoyed a nice father-daughter date-night at Firebirds.  (B loved her salad, the BLT Chopped Salad, so much she has asked me to try and recreate it.  I will let you now how that goes.)  Luckily for Hubby, B was so filled with energy and excitement that she kept the conversation going all by herself even as she pounded down the steak she ordered.  Then they turned in early since they had to be at the fields by 7:15am the next day.

All day on Saturday I keep my cell phone close by so I could get updates from Hubby.  Hubby totally kept me in the loop with text messaging me the scores and info on the other teams.  B's team played so well all day long.  And I am happy to report that after six games, B's team placed second! (Hubby's note- It was a long day but a lot of fun. It is just awesome to watch your child do something they so clearly love and that makes them so happy.)

And lest you think that boys were neglected....I promise they were spoiled just rotten by my in-laws!  The boys were treated to pizza, ice cream, a visit with cousins and a trip to local street festival filled with games.  

Someday, if I am lucky, I will come back as one of my children!  Do you ever feel that way too?

Whirlwind Weekend

I do not think that we could have packed one more activity into this past weekend.  I mean it was not stop action from the moment the kiddos got off the bus this past Friday!  My in-laws kindly came to our house in time to greet the older two off the school bus while I packed the car for B's first ever field hockey travel tournament.  As soon as the car was all packed, B and I were off to Pennsylvania!

The whole car ride up B was bubbling with nervous energy.  It was too cute how she could not stop chatting!  God-willing she will be this chatty with me for years to come!!!  She might have been so willing to talk since I let her pick all of the music.  I listened to more One Direction than one adult should have to in a lifetime.  Honestly I am a little worried since she thinks that they really are good musicians.  Hopefully she will see the error of her ways before she reaches college.

I have to be honest, I was a nervous wreck about this tournament   You see these girls practice together twice a week as well as play on rec teams but they have yet to play a game together as a team.  It is one thing to pratice together, it is another to play a game together.  But this mom had no need to worry, they were great!  The girls won three out of their four games and came in second place.  The best part for me was that my father got to see Betsy play and we both enjoyed her beaming smile every time she came off the field!

While it was nice to get away for a bit with B and enjoy many girly giggles, there was too much to be done at home.  So after B's last game we headed home.  M has a big event coming up and I needed to make sure that he has the proper outfit for his big day.  We might not be Kennedys but look at these two!  How could you not vote for them!?! (Hubby's note: With the lip biting and thumbs up L looks like he is doing a Bill Clinton impression.)

After spending what I am sure Hubby thought was too much money at the mall (Hubby's note: That is the correct assessment) we headed to Lowes.  Since we will be having so many guests for M's big day I felt like our house needed some new accessories too.  I might not be known for having a green thumb but I do think my planters look pretty good if I do say so myself. Hopefully they will look just as pretty next Saturday!

All Played Out

We had a wonderful weekend!  One of my brothers, Dennis, came for a visit and it was a great time for everyone.  Friday night Uncle Dennis arrived right at bed time and got all of the kiddos totally wound-up, per usual.  Why is it that uncles feel that it is ok to get kids all worked up right at bedtime!?! (Hubby's note- As an uncle I will tell you: A. it is fun and B. they aren't my kids so it isn't my problem when they don't sleep! This naturally does not apply when it is my kids being wound up.)

Bright and early on Saturday, Dennis, M and myself headed out for the lax fields where we were joined by one of my SIL's and her family. M pretty much had a fan club for his game and came off the field with a big smile.  It was so nice for me to watch the game with my brother since he had played lacrosse in high-school and could answer all of my questions.

Unfortunately the weather was not to nice for B's game on Sunday.  The weatherman claimed that it was not going to rain until 7pm but we were all cold and wet at B's noon-time game.  Luckily the rain did not get in the way of B having a great game.  I was so happy that my brother got to see her score not once but twice!

After the game and a trip to Wegmans by the time we got home Sunday afternoon and finely warmed up we were all wiped out!  Some might have found it boring but I loved watching my sweet kiddos curl up together and watch a movie before dinner.  I know these moments will not happen forever!