Jack's Stats

Jack is playing hockey this summer. It's a short season with only 12 games. He is a HockeyUSA registered MITE this season and this is his first season at this higher level. (He has always been a MIGHTY MITE before.)

Jack and his favorite teammates, Hunter and Eli, are the three smallest kids on the team. The team has players ranging from 7 to 10 years of age and they are closer to the young end of the spectrum. Small and young, but real solid players, are these three boys. They are the number one line for the Maple Leafs.

While Hunter leads the team in goals and Eli leads the team in assists, Jack leads the team in short-handed goals and in "style points". What are style points??? For example, his first question to me after every game is, "Dad, did my jersey flap in the air behind me like Mike Modano's jersey does for him?". Yes, Jack, it did...and you get 10 style points since 'appearance' trumps 'substance'. Or, when he scores a goal he likes to hold his stick straight up in air...as all hockey players do. The only difference is that Jack keeps it up there while he skates a lap around the entire ice surface weaving through the other players...10 more style points for over-celebrating. Finally, on the drive home from the rink after a big win, Jack frequently reminds me of this, "Dad, that other team just learned that 'speed kills'". Correct, Jack...and give youself another 15 style points for the attitude.

Anyway, it's fun to watch him play and struggle at this higher level. When the challenges are greater the rewards for success are greater, too! He scored his first MITE goal recently. It was a short-handed goal that he took from end to end. That was awesome to see! The picture up above is of him from last season...as a Bruin. (Click on it to enlarge it.)

The last day of school

My Turn. Well, you've probably all seen that last picture since it was our Christmas card from last year. This one was taken at Jack's school last Thursday. It was the last day of school and I volunteered for the party. Keiko and Midori came too. Jack is such a good student. He came sauntering out wearing three ribbons and three medals. I asked him what that was all about and he explained that they had an assembly that morning. Every month at school there is an assembly. Students can get up to three ribbons: academics, good citizenship and perfect attendence. Jack got the three medals at the end of the year for receiving ALL three ribbons at EVERY assembly througout the school year. His teacher told me that it is very difficult to get all three. Jack was the only student in his entire class to receive all three.

Dan is mad that I hijacked his blog. He is standing behind me right now, laser beam eyes burning into the back of my skull.... um.. I gotta go now.

Kelly

Let's Get Things Started

I'm starting this blog so that all my fans can keep themselves updated with what goes on here in Plano everyday. Just so we have a common starting point of reference, please know that I have it all under complete control. I'm running this family like a well-oiled machine and they all know that I am in charge....of Dudley. Actually, to be honest with you, Dudley never listens to me either. I think he is possibly deaf due to his advanced years. If he is not deaf, then he is as good at ignoring me as is Kelly.

In case you have not seen them recently here is a relatively recent picture of Jack, Midori and Keiko. This is posted so you can see what Kelly and I have to deal with everyday. They get their looks from me! (Notice that even though I author this blog, my face does not appear on it anywhere....Why would I want to waste Google's storage when they are barely scratching by as a company.)

That's enough for my first posting....I have limited thoughts, so I'll have to dish them out S L O W L Y.

Dan