Rick and I think it’s important to give our kids opportunities to participate in sports and activites. We feel that this is good for their self esteem, as well as their social, emotional, and physical development. And the kids love it! So when our budget allows we try to enroll our kids in activities of their choosing. (Not more than one sport at a time and I’d never force a child into an activity they didn’t want to be in.)
Joshua has been obsessed with hockey for two years now. He began asking to play hockey even before he turned three. We don’t know where he got the idea because neither Rick nor I have had any hockey experience. When Josh was 3.5 we signed him up for a skating class, which was a prerequesite for the hockey program. Rick and I weren’t so impressed with it. The kids spent most of the time standing on the ice getting very little instruction from their coaches. It seemed we’d paid a lot of money for nothing. Joshua had a blast though and has continued to talk about hockey ever since.
We’ve moved since then and there is a hockey program in our area that looks much better than the last one! The course is twice as long, coaches are better, rentals are included, and there is a lot of free gear that is given out to those who participate. (Full hockey equipment can be pricey so this is a nice feature!) Best of all, the kids can play on the Mighty Mites teams during or after the course. Joshua is thrilled.
We signed him up today. I felt pretty good and wanted to be there so we all went to the arena together. Afterwards Joshua pressed his little nose against the cold glass and eagerly watched the “big boys” during their practice. He was completely captivated.
We took Josh to the pro shop in the same facility to look at gear. He’ll get most of his stuff free with the class, but we’ll still need to buy him a helmet, pants, and skates. Joshy tried on a helmet first. He grinned at us through the face mask and wasted no time in asking the salesman how much it cost. It was $41.
Josh looked up at the at the salesman and asked eagerly, “I have FOUR dollars. Is that almost enough?” The man smiled and told him not quite. Joshy thought for a moment, then turned to Rick and asked softly and sweetly, “Daddy, do you have $41 that I can use?” He was so cute!
We did end up buying him a helmet and pants (waiting on skates for now). Unfortunately the salesman got the sizing mixed up so we need to exchange the helmet tomorrow. But Joshua is still as happy as ever. When we got home, we let him try on his pants again. He wiggled and bounced with excitement, grinning as wide as I’ve ever seen him grin. He looked happier than he did on Christmas morning. He spent a while running around in his hockey pants before bedtime, looking very cute and very excited.
We need to exchange his helmet, then buy some thermals, socks, a bag to carry his gear in, and a few more odds and ends. Class (er, practice, Rick insists that I call it practice and not class) starts February 7. Joshy can hardly wait. He really likes it when I call him “Hockey Player” as in, “Hey, Hockey Player, please get your jammies on.” He just beams.
Personally I am thrilled for my little guy. I am thrilled because he is thrilled. I just love seeing him so happy, so full of enthusiasm. He had a wonderful wrestling season, which he truly loved, and I am hoping for the same from hockey. That’s partly why I let my kids choose activities to be involved in- the look of pure happiness and excitement on those tiny, sweet faces is always priceless!!
