Yes, it’s back.  The dreaded return of hockey season.  Already.  Before we’ve even had a chance to close the pool.  Sadly, I spent both my Saturday and Sunday mornings this past weekend in cold, depressing hockey arenas.  And this weekend wasn’t the first time.  No, no.  I was at the cold, depressing hockey arena last weekend too.  And although it may technically still be Fall, once Hockey Season arrives, it may as well be Winter to me.

My eldest plays hockey twice a week.  My youngest plays hockey twice a week.  My husband plays hockey once a week.  My husbands helps coach both of my boy’s hockey teams.  They all watch hockey whenever it’s on TV.  My husband builds an ice rink in our backyard every Winter so they can play a little hockey whenever they feel the urge.  Hockey, hockey, hockey . . .

I hate hockey.  No, I really do.  I just don’t get it.  Sure, I enjoy watching my eldest’s games now that’s he’s a little older (9 years old) and it’s more competitive.  But my enjoyment is really more about being excited for him as he races down the ice towards to goal than for the games itself.

Hockey equipment stinks.  It smells really, really bad.  And so do the boys that have just taken it off.

The arenas are always cold and my nose always drips.

The whole “off side” rule still puzzles me even though it’s been explained to me over and over and over again.

The games and practices are always so God damn early!  Why?  Why do they have to be so early?  Are the people that make up the schedules not parents too?  Why do they think it’s acceptable to have a 5 year old dressed in his equipment and on the ice at 6am???  Come on!  WTF?

But alas, this will be the extent of my weekends from now until Spring.

So suck it up Princess – as they say!  I’ll get my coffee on the way to the rink like everybody else, find my spot in the stands and smile.  Like the good Hockey Mom that I am.  Because they love hockey.  And I love them.

And I’ll be thankful that they’re not into ice-fishing . . .