Kanin's First Love

I think that every mother of a boy anticipates and dreads the day that her baby boy falls in love. Well for me, that has already happened. Nope, it's not what you think. It has nothing to do with a girl stealing my baby boy away but instead it is a game. A game where he could lose his teeth, get a concussion, get cut in the femoral artery and it is over. A game where I swore no son of mine would ever play. Alas, though, when he was only 18 months old he fell in love and the obsession continues.

I told Scott from the very beginning that Kanin was not going to play hockey. Sure, we could get him rollerblades and he could play around the house but he WAS NOT going to play hockey. It was way too violent. "More violent than a 95 MPH fastball coming in at his head?" he would ask me KNOWING that I have such a passion for baseball. "More violent than sliding into a base with a catcher throwing a ball literally down at where is head is sliding?" Dang, why does he have to have such good points.

Then, he hit a soft spot and told me the story of how when he (Scott) was younger all he wanted to do was play hockey. His mom said "No" over and over. Finally, one day his mom told him that if he got straight A's on his report card that he could play hockey. So little Scottie worked and worked all semester and came home with straight A's and his mom, God rest her Soul, broke the Mommy Rule and still told him "No" and his heart was broken. "April, if he loves it, why would you stop him from it?". Ok, he had me. Kanin could play hockey.

Fast forward a couple of years and who loves hockey . . . I DO! Love the game, love the fights, love the teamwork, love watching my little guy on the ice. So, I guess I'm a Hockey Mom and I'm Proud of It!

Here is a look into some of our memories:

Kanin's 1st St. Louis Blues Hockey Game in early 2006 at 2 years old.



Halloween 2006 (almost 3 years old)


Kanin's 3rd birthday cake was a hockey stick with a net.



Hockey game with Gaga in 2006 at 3 years old.



Gaga and Kanin got a stick and some pucks signed after the game in 2006.



Kanin in early 2007, 3 years old, while living in the condo.



I remember this picture because Kanin HAD to try on all of the hockey equipment. I'm not sure why we even went to Sports Authority that night but I remember that it was so cute. Check out the Spongebob slippers he has on, too.



How cute is he? He used to wear that hockey equipment all over the house. Most of the time he even took naps in those skates. Of courese, I still have them.




You can't fake that smile.


February 2010, at 6 years old, I took Kanin down to the St. Louis Blues Winter Carnival. Here he is with Eric Brewer.






I remember this was in early 2007, Kanin had just turned 3, and we met Uncle Jeff out at the Mills to watch the Hockey Blues practice. Dennis Wideman opened up the gate and gave Kanin a hockey puck. We were all so excited. For months afterwards Kanin was Dennis Wideman, Mommy was Keith Tkachuk and Gaga was Bill Guerin whenever we played hockey on the kitchen floor.



This is Kanin's "fight" look. He used to throw his gloves down and fight. It was so cute!



Still in the condo, Kanin was 3 years old in 2007.



Playing hockey in the condo kitchen was a daily occurrence.



In 2007, getting ready to turn 4 years old, here is Kanin at a Blues game.


In January 2009, when Kanin was 5 years old, he started Learn to Play hockey at the St. Peters Rec Plex. This is the first time he had to wear all of the equipment and hockey skates, too. They practiced actual hockey drills, skating, puck handling, etc.
At the end of 2007, when Kanin was 4 years old, he started ice skating lessons at Kirkwood Ice Rink.

In March 2008, when Kanin was 4 years old, he got to meet #7, Keith Tkachuk. I don't know who looks happier, Scott or Kanin?

Need Camera Help!

If any of you out there know of anywhere that I can learn more about my camera, settings, how to take better pics, etc . . . PLEASE let me know!! If you have any tips, I would certainly appreciate it!

Run, Run As Fast As You Can

So after 2 long years of training for the half-marathon, re-injurying my ankle, having surgery, getting pregnant, having a baby and FINALLY starting to exercise again, I have started running-again. Yesterday I ran 3 miles on the treadmill. I was so excited! Earlier in the week I ran 2 miles and after I got home Kanin asked me what I did at the gym. I told him that I ran 2 miles on the treadmill and, of course, he says, "Why didn't you run 3 miles?". I told him that I thought I could run 3 miles so when I went yesterday I decided to challenge myself. So excited.

I'm sure I didn't look graceful doing it but in my mind, this is what I looked like. LOL . . .

(in my DREAMS!!!!!!)

Things I Love, Part 2

*Laying in front of the fireplace on a cold, winter's day watching football and taking a nap.

*A long, hot, quiet bath BY MYSELF!

*Listening to my kids play together nicely (doesn't happen too often)

*Watching my hubby hold and play with our babies.

*Family dinners

*Things that make me think and question my thoughts, beliefs and values.

*Disney World

*Music

*Drinking my morning coffee in my favorite pj's.

*Talking to my mom on the phone.

*Girls' Night Out

*Hot summer nights at the ballpark.

*Watching Kanin play hockey.

*Date night with Hottie Scottie.

*Taking pictures of my babies even though they don't like being my subjects.

*Crab-stuffed mushrooms from Blues City Cafe in Memphis.

*All military pomp and circumstance.

*Coming home to a clean house (thanks, mom and dad)

*As cliche as it sounds, I love my life!

Camera Practice

DJ King

This picture was take in 2007 when Kanin was 4. (It's not very good quality. I will try to find it and scan).


This picture was taken in 2010 when Kanin was 6.

Why Love Valentine's Day?

I remember when I was a teenager, probably starting at about the age of 14, I used to always want a boyfriend at Valentine's Day. I wanted to be one of those girls who was sitting in 6th hour Science class and have Sister Jane, the school secretary-that's just what we called her I didn't go to Catholic school-come knock on the door with a delivery of flowers.

As I got older and in college, of course, even more emphasis was put on Valentine's Day. Couples who celebrated Valentine's Day in college had actual dates with roses, chocolates, wine and nice dinners. Some of these couples even got engaged so it was really depressing each year when I was alone on the Day of Lovers.

Of course there were times through the years when I actually did have a boyfriend on Valentine's Day and at the time, I guess, I felt like a lucky girl. I was finally one of those women getting pampered and showered with gifts. I can't actually remember any of those dates and hardly any of those boyfriends now but I'm sure I was excited then.

Things really changed when I met Scott, though. Instead of being excited that I was actually with the love of my life and knew that I would never spend another Valentine's Day alone, a funny thing happened . . . Valentine's Day really lost all of its meaning for me. Finally, I could have cared less about Valentine's Day because I was getting pampered all year long. I realized that anybody could buy flowers and candy and spend money and time and energy on one day a year but it really took a lot of effort to make me feel special every single day. I was the luckiest girl in the world!

I told Scott that first Valentine's Day not to get me anything. He looked at me like, "Yeah, this is a trap" but I assured him that I was serious. So, that has been our tradition for the past 6 years. We don't do anything over-the-top when it comes to Valentine's Day. We don't buy cards, flowers, plan special meals--nothing and that is just the way I like it!




New Year's Eve 2005-1st NYE together


The Kiss on October 21, 2006


Dave Matthews at Busch Stadium in June 2008


Las Vegas in February 2009-5 months pregnant with Caleb


8 months pregnant with Caleb in May 2009



All Star Game in July 2009


Downtown during All Star Week in July 2009