Mini Hockey

Mini Hockey is a sport of its own in the Helmkamp family.  The season runs from January 1st through December 31st.  The league's players range in age from mid-60's to 11 months.  Jack was the latest player drafted when he received his first mini hockey set at Christmas this year.  Let the checking begin!

Checking to see if his stick's curve meets Uncle DD's standards.

Practice starts early in the morning...

A Lesson in Sharing

Jack isn't the only one who plays with his toys...

(This was by me :))

We're just making sure he knows how to share. ;)

Little Helper

Jack actually WAS helping here...the spoons & door kept him entertained for a good 5 minutes, which was VERY helpful.

I walked around the island and back and he was on his way in.  He's starting to climb.  Might be our own fault for having the slide in the play room for him to climb on.

Mom's Terrible Shooting Percentage

My dad used to always call for "one shot, one shot" when we were shooting in the shed as he headed out for chores.  If my memory serves me right, he probably shot about 95%.  After hitting nothin' but net he'd say, in his best attempt at being cocky, "Old man's still got the touch!"  I clearly cannot say the same...and Jack finds that hilarious.

Lainey and Jack's "Merry Christmas Party"

Jack and his friend Lainey hosted a little Christmas party today at our house.  (That will either make you laugh, like it does me...or roll your eyes...one of the two.)  Lainey's an old pro after hosting a Halloween party of her own, so Jack and I recruited Lainey and her mom, Theresa, to join us.  (We did  steal their idea after all.  Plus, Theresa makes super cute treats!)  We had a full house  for snacks, chatting, and playing.

I failed to take more than a couple pictures, so you'll have to imagine cute kids and cute reindeer treats, etc. cause this is all there is.  I didn't even get a picture of the host and hostess together! :P

Party favors

Having snacks with his buddies Larae and Beckham.

Checking out his toy inventory after his guests left.

(OR: getting a little time to himself after the craziness!)

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Duck report from the deck.

Somebody's got an itchy trigger finger!