... and a goal!

Youth hockey has lots of benefits, and not just for the kids who play.

Toddler 3, now nearly 2 1/2, has made lots of friends among the other hockey siblings. Even better, she can navigate the greater Chicago area from the backseat, guiding herself by the many hockey rinks she has been too. Getting off the Edens at Touhy? "Hockey!" as we approach Heartland. Heading west on Lake Avenue through Glenview? "Hockey camp!" Traversing Dempster in Morton Grove? "Hockey store!"

She's been to rinks in four states and I don't know how many towns, taking it all with remarkable good grace, so much so that occasional tantrum is an anomaly.

That doesn't even consider the oceans of stale popcorn and acres of greasy pizza she's consumed ...

Just like her big brother ...

When Kid 2 was walking around in his shorts, Toddler 3 stripped down to her diaper.
When he had a sandwich on a paper towel, she demanded first "bread" and then "towel" to carry it around on.
When he gets his things in the car, she yells, "Hockey!
I think she wants to be just like her big brother.
Except, of course, when she wants to put on her "pretty dress" over her Blackhawks jersey.

Is driving kids around a competitive sport?

If it is, I think I deserve a medal for today. My afternoon-into-evening schedule:
3:10 p.m.: Leave work @ 35th and Lake Park.
3:40 p.m.: Pick up Toddler 3 at Nana Phyllis' house.
3:45 p.m.: Pick up Kid 2 at school, where he stayed late for homework center.
4 p.m.: Arrive home. Walk dog/get mail. Change Toddler 3's pants, shoes and socks after she jumped in puddles while walking dog. Get snacks, pack up laptop.
4:15 p.m.: Leave to pick up Kid 1. Slight delay when Toddler 3 drops bag of popcorn on stairs. Kid 2 (now dressed in baseball uniform) stops to pick it up.
4:32 p.m.: Pull up outside auditorium.
4:33 p.m.: Kid 1 emerges from drama. Head for West Loop area for baseball. Delayed by traffic on Ashland; stalled car just before Milwaukee intersection costs at least 5 minutes.
5:10 p.m.: Pull up at north end of Sheridan Park, where Kid 2 hopes out to join warmups in progress for 5:30 game.
5:15 p.m. Hand Toddler 3 off to Big T, who has arrived at Sheridan Park directly from work. Switch cars so he has the one with the car seat. Head home with Kid 1.
5:40 p.m. Arrive home. Make baked potato for Kid 1, eat leftovers, read morning paper.
6:25 p.m. Leave to drop Kid 1 at evening theater program. Go directly to Maine Township High School District 207 school board meeting for Patch.com.
7 p.m.: Arrive at Maine South High School for meeting.