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Paradise

We made it of Paradise, literally and figuratively, as we arrived at Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. It’s a quick 35 minute flight from Fort Lauderdale, so it’s great way to escape into the island life without traveling too far. Moreover, the beaches, the water and the snorkeling are ridiculous here.

It’s been almost 20 years since I’ve been here last. Needless to say it looks way different. There’s been a lot of development here in the last twenty years. All of us were on the same flight, which was great. JK shared his limo with us, so we were able to easily make it from the airport to the hotel.

Paradise Island is incredibly gorgeous. The water is beyond beautiful and the grounds of Atlantis are impeccably kept. My boys were dying to hit Aquaventure and the beach. We spent four hours in the sun, sand and pools before heading up to get ready for dinner.

All around Atlantis there are amazing aquariums teaming with wildlife. We can see the ray tank, the shark tank, sea turtle tank and the sawfish tank from our room. While we waited for a table at dinner tonight, we ventured outside to look at the baby sea turtles. These precious babies are beyond adorable.

Dinner was amazing. We ate a family style restaurant that serves barbecue. If you ever find yourself at Atlantis, do yourself a favor and try Virgil’s Mac and Cheese. It’s amazeballs. Of course good food and good drinks help (would also recommend the watermelon margarita,) but a good dinner is made by the company in which you eat.

Tonight it was fun reconnecting in person with all of the Kennedy clan. We had a blast tonight at dinner and hanging out in the suite afterward. Now it’s time for be because we’ve simply exhausted ourselves.

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T-Minus One Day

It’s t-minus one day until spring break starts and we head to the Bahamas. I haven’t been to Nassau in over 20 years, so it will be fun to be back. I’m sure the scenery will evoke many great memories from my first Bahamas trip. Moreover, it will be a great time for us all to decompress after all the stress of the last month.

It will be curious to see how badly the boys can provoke each other during our short flight and drive to the Atlantis resort. Goalielocks has been to Atlantis before and had a wonderful time. This will be the first time there for both the hubby and the Mayor.

Unfortunately, the hubby isn’t gonna be able to stay for our entire trip, but he’ll at least get some time away from home. Sadly, Jake won’t be able to make it all due to his schedule. Meanwhile, tomorrow I’m headed to my dear friend CO’s for a night of Lilly Pulitzer dress and birthday celebration. One simply can’t go to the Bahamas without a few amazing Lilly dresses. (I know what you’re thinking and you’re right, my logic here is airtight!)

Tonight we’re relaxing at home catching up on season 2 of Victoria. Our younger boys are spending their evening with Uncle Jon at the Panthers game. Last I checked the Panthers were winning and I’m sure the bots as enjoying the all you eat option in the Corona Club. I’m off to pack for our trip, wishing everyone an amazeballs Friday!

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Captivating

There’s something absolutely captivating about waves as they break and roll on shore. We sat for hours yesterday on a beautiful veranda overlooking Fort Lauderdale Beach. The palm trees, the beautiful blue sky and tropical waters reminded me of how lucky we are to live here (especially in March.)

The beautiful thing about the ocean is it reminds you of how big and beautiful the world really is. It’s an easy place to find peace both from within and externally. Sadly, we get to the beach quite infrequently due to our crazy schedule. Vitamin Sea, as they say, does the body, mind and spirit a whole lot of good. The sun, on the other hand, burnt me to a crisp.

Needless to say, I’m really looking forward to our beach vacation this coming week. I cannot wait to enjoy the beautiful waters of the Bahamas. Our boys, who love being on the water are convinced we need a 30+ foot sailboat. Apparently, the sun got to them. In all likelihood, they probably confused our bank account with someone who’s kids don’t play hockey.

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Sunday Funday

After months of endless hockey weekends, it was a Sunday funday for us down in Fort Lauderdale. We started our day off with a mimosa filled breakfast at the Pelican Grand. It was absolutely delicious and you couldn’t find a better view if you tried. We had several mimosas and killed a bottle of prosecco.

Post breakfast the kids headed to the beach and we polished off the wine and paid the bill. The Pelican Grand has an awesome veranda with super nice chairs where you can face the ocean and continue to drink. After breakfast, I switched to water since my stomach is still not super fantastic. The view is absolutely incredible.

One of my friends lives near the Pelican Grand, so she decides to walk over with her puppy. In anticipation of meeting WL, I headed down to the beach to see what he kids were doing. Fortunately, there were no rip currents at our beach and good waves for the kids to play in. Frankly, the water is too cold to swim in, but I might be spoiled.

Goalielocks and I started to meander down the beach in anticipation of meeting up with WL & E. I should say that the weather was absolutely amazing today. We met up with WL & E, which was fun. My boys loved meeting both of them, but especially that precious puppy E.

Afterwards we headed back to the resort, I went back to my seat while the kids headed to the lazy river. The resort has a great pool and lazy river. All of our kids, had a blast in the lazy river while we hung out on the veranda. Honestly, it was the perfect way to spend first Sunday after hockey season.

We finished out our day in Lauderdale by heading back to the marina, so the kids could fish. Unfortunately, there was no bait. This didn’t, however, stop the boys. They started catching their own bait, cutting it up and rigging their poles. We watched from the comfort of RL’s awesome sailboat. Now we’re back home, a bit burnt, and tired, but feeling relaxed and happy after a wonderful day.

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Sleepy Saturday night

It was a welcomed and overdue sleepy Saturday for the first time since August. We did nothing today, but relax, grocery shop and put a dent in the laundry. It couldn’t have been a better day for it as the afternoon and evening hours were cool and rainy.

The Mayor and Hubby went down to Fort Lauderdale to fish and hangout on our friends’ sailboat. It’s a tough life. I wasn’t feeling 100% and desperately needed to get the grocery shopping and laundry done, so I stayed North. Not to worry, however, as I’ll be headed down that way tomorrow morning to collect the Mayor and enjoy a nice brunch.

Goalielocks and I hit up Kohl’s before hitting up the aquarium store. We picked up a new led light for the coral tank. Of course, it would have been foolish to think I could get out of there with just the light. We picked up another snail and a coral frag. Suddenly, we have a real nano coral tank going on. Goalielocks has done a phenomenal job setting up and managing the tank.

While Goalielocks worked to acclimate our tank’s new inhabitants, the Mayor was busy fishing up a storm in Lauderdale. After fishing they enjoyed a nice dinner inclusive of mermaids, king crab and stone crab. Meanwhile back home, we enjoyed a tasty frozen pizza. Based on the pictures and videos, it would appear he and his buddies are having an amazing time. We’re heading to bed early since we’ll be losing an hour of sleep tonight and we’re heading to an early brunch in Fort Lauderdale. Have a wonderful evening!

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It’s Over

After countless dollars spent, countless miles travelled and more fun than one could possibly imagine it’s over. It’s a strange feeling after the final handshake. It’s one of sadness, relief, pride and exhaustion.

After months and months of hard-work, both boys seasons ended this morning at the hands of the Jr. Everblades. On the West Coast, it was obvious early on that this would be our last game. We just didn’t have the puck luck we needed and got no favorable bounces.

These boys worked incredibly hard this weekend and I couldn’t have been prouder. While Goalielocks was dressed, he didn’t play this weekend. He wanted to be dressed, but truly it was too early to return. It’s not worth the risk of compounding his concussion with another. Nevertheless, it was important for him to be there to support his team. It wasn’t the best season for him, so I was incredibly proud of his commitment to his squad and to being there for them.

Meanwhile on the East Coast, the Mayor’s team had a 2-1 lead going into the third. Some bad luck and horrifically bad calls swung the momentum the other way. Ultimately, the JEB peewee squad emerged victorious eliminating our squad from the tourney. The kids had a phenomenal weekend and played incredibly well together.

The drive home from the West coast was uneventful and traffic was flowing nicely on Alligator Alley. No sooner had I gotten home, when we had to leave for the Mayor’s end of season party. After being gone all weekend, I was hesitant to go, but I’m glad I did.

We had a fabulous time at J&J’s tonight with the team. I’m so glad I decided to go instead of doing laundry and grocery shopping! The Mayor’s team this year will go down as one of our favorites. The kids, coaches and families were absolutely fantastic. Now it’s on the spring hockey, which starts tomorrow… Although we’ll be giving Goalielocks the week off to ensure he’s fully recovered before hitting the ice.

As for me, I’m relaxing in the wonderful silky fabric that is my yoga silk. It’s an incredible place to relax, center and wind down before heading to bed. After an insane weekend, I’m heading to bed early tonight.

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Day Two at the State Tournament

It was day two at the state tournament here in Germain. We had two games on the west coast schedule today with our first one starting at 9:30. While the Mayor and his team also had two games on the docket starting at 9:00 on the east coast. Here on the west coast, I was hoping for a little later start to the day, but whatever.

Goalielocks’ team took on the Scorpions (Tampa area) this morning. The team is coached by Filip Kuba and Mathieu Garin. As an aside, I was a huge Kuba fan when he played for the Wild. It wasn’t our strongest hockey game, but they still found a way to win.

Meanwhile on the east coast, the mayor and his team were engaged in a dog fight with the Junior Bulls (one of the top seeded teams.). In the end, they found themselves on the wrong side of the score sheet losing 6-3.

Fortunately, the schedule allowed plenty of time between games for lunch and a little shopping. While Goalielocks stayed at the rink to support the U16 team and watch some hockey, I headed with hockey family to our favorite Italian restaurant. Lunch at Marsala Pizza was pitch perfect. The only way to improve upon our midday break from hockey was a sojourn to the outlets.

Both boys played again this afternoon with our game here kicking off at 3:45 and the Mayor’s game kicking off at 4:00. This afternoon our U14AA boys played the Tampa Crunch (worst name in the league we’ll maybe tied with the Crush.). To say this game was messy would be a gross understatement.

This game was a complete gong show from the time they dropped the puck. It was brutal. Obviously, hockey is a tough, physical skill, but these kids were head hunting. When one of their biggest players took out one of our smallest players, they celebrated the dirty play that injured our player. In the end, our player had to leave the ice. Like I said, it was a complete and total gong show.

Against the back drop of this gong show of a game, our boys were just off. As great as they had played last night, they were as bad as they could be this afternoon. For the first period, we only had one shot on net.

They went up on us and as we went into the third period, they were winning 4-0. Our boys started to play like we know they can and we started scoring. In short order, it went from a 4-0 game to a 4-4 game. Of course, as the game tightened up the game got choppier. It was one of those games you hoped that nobody on either team got hurt.

In the end, we ended up losing in a shoot out. (Deja vu from last night,) but still came away with the points needed to advance to the semis. On the other coast, the Mayor’s team was locked in a very tight contest with the Crush. Like our bantam boys, the peewee game ended up in a shootout. Unfortunately, the squad lost in the shootout. Fortunately, they walked away from the game with the point they needed to advance to the semis. Both boys are in action early tomorrow morning, so I’m headed to bed!

Lastly, special thanks to my wonderful peewee mom squad for all the updates and wonderful pictures!

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It’s State Tournament Time

It’s state tournament time here in Florida! Goalielocks and I made the trek across Alligator Alley early this evening. Surprisingly, the Friday night traffic wasn’t too bad. When we drove over last year for the Mayor’s tournament, traffic was absolutely horrendous!

Meanwhile back in Palm Beach, the Mayor and his team took the ice against the Florida Panthers Gold. That team had been undefeated in league play until today. That’s right our squad took it to them winning 4-3 in regulation!!!! Awesome sauce! I wish I had more pictures to share, but the hubby is manning the bench with Coach P.

When I spoke with the Mayor after Goalielocks’ game, he was so excited for his team. They worked so hard and they play for each other. Their squad is absolutely special!

In Ft. Myers it was a tight contest between our boys and the league leading Gulf Coast Flames. Honestly, probably one of the better games that I’ve seen them play. They were in it to win it and nearly did.

Our boys carried a 2-0 lead with 10 minutes left in the third. We had a couple of mistakes and some penalties that cost us dearly. Goalielocks’ partner in crime played one hell of a game and gave his team a shot to win it.

To say it was excruciatingly painful when they tried the game up, would be a major understatement. The boys didn’t give up though or lose steam. They kept pushing and working hard. In the end, it ended up going to a shootout. Sadly, we didn’t come away with the W, but we did get a point.

Now we’re at the hotel. Honestly, it’s been a bit of disaster. Our first room smelled like a testing room for Phillip Morris or a room above a cigarette lounge. Now we’re on our second room and the toilet doesn’t work. Consequently, the security guard is now in the bathroom trying to fix the toilet. It was temporarily fixed and then stopped working again. If it weren’t 12:30 am I’d be more adamant about the issue, but I need to sleep. Oh the humanity, Hilton’s corporate is definitely going to hear about this one.

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In Like a Lion, Out Like A Lamb

Growing up in Minnesota, every year I’d hear the refrain, “in like a lion, out like a lamb.”  Funny in Florida, March is just another month of sunny, gradually increasing temperatures.  It’s still relatively comfortable, but it’s always sunny.  March in Minnesota, on the other hand, can be a mix bag of horrendous weather from snow storms to rain storms.

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Of course in Florida, the “out like a lamb” could refer to the snowbirds that may leave at the end of the month as Easter approaches.  Since Easter can take place anywhere from late March to early April, I always pray for an early Easter.   Usually once Easter passes, the majority of the snowbirds head back north as we can reclaim our city.  I can’t tell you the happiness that is seeing that first car carrier outside the 55 plus neighborhood.  Undoubtedly, the snowbirds dim my joie de vivre.

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As I count down the days and weeks to Easter, we’ve managed to get back into our normal routine.  Fortunately, Goalielocks’ headaches are gone!  I’m almost scared to type that less they return tomorrow.  He’s really hoping to be able to play this weekend.  He’s been back to school this week ,which has been fabulous.  However, it’s a bit tough to get back on the algebra train after missing two weeks of lessons.  Thank God for Khan Academy.

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March is a pretty exciting month.  There are so many people in our lives with March birthdays.  My SIL and I are one day apart next week.  We’ll get a break from the craziness of hockey with no travel this spring!  Can I get a hallelujah?  Also, this year will mark the first time we’re going somewhere for spring break.  We’re travelling to Atlantis  with friends that became family, which should be an amazing trip.

 

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Made It Home

We made it home from Boston and I couldn’t be more grateful. Yesterday it looked like we were going to be in Bean Town thru Thursday! If I’m being honest, even though I was stoked he was cleared to fly, I was still very nervous.

This anxiety of course carried into both flights, but the first one especially. I could see him wincing in pain as we took off from Boston. At that point, he finally acquiesced and took a Tylenol. Meanwhile, I was a mess the whole flight.

I’m incredibly grateful to the great Delta flight attendants that brokered a seat swap, so I could sit next to him. In addition, to the seat swap, they gave him free earbuds and some nice treats from first class. They also checked on him quite regularly. I’m so thankful for them!

We made it home and he’s fast asleep. As expected, the flight made his headache somewhat worse. Fortunately, it seems the nausea has improved. He’s hoping to get back to school tomorrow, but it will really depend on how he’s feeling in the morning.

Expectedly, we’re both completely exhausted physically, emotionally and mentally. I haven’t quite processed the last 48 hours fully, but I’m sure in the coming days I’ll work through it. Plus, now I’m back home so I can go in my yoga silk and unwind. Thanks for all the support and your continued prayers and well wishes.