Hockey Indoctrination Starts Early Here

Having too much fun on Christmas Break to actually blog, but I thought you might enjoy Miss Curious first foray into ice skating. The bob-skates were Greg's gift to her. She actually did skate quite a bit today!

Big bro helping out his little sis.

Frozen Moments

Tanner - Stopping a shot

Greg racing for a goal

Eric playing defense

Do our kids REALLY need a higher education?

So I have 4 kids playing on 5 hockey teams. The oldest 2 on "Rep" teams (that's the highest level), 3rd son on a Development Team (that's the second highest level) and also playing on a "house" team because its required to play development (basic level) and then our little guy on a house team as well.

We got a notice yesterday for JUST Greg's hockey expenses for THIS week.

• $275 - fee for "carding" which essentially means drafting him by his team and registering him with Hockey Canada so he is eligible for the "bantam draft"
• $250 - Team Fee. This is to cover the team start up costs.
• $200 - Tournament Fee. The cost of travel, bus, food, hotel for next weekend's tournament. The first of MANY tournaments.
• $85 - Track Suit. New track suits required this year because the team logo is changing.

That is $810 THIS WEEK. So our 13 year old can play hockey.

Did I mention Eric has to be carded. Has a team fee and goes on a tournament the week after next?

Did I mention Tanner has a team fee and is also going on SEVERAL tournaments this year.

Oh and they both need new track suits too. And you know ... food, a roof over their heads, heat and shoes.

Their college education fund has evaporated (or more accurately, froze).

We are practicing applying for scholarships starting today.