Family Time with the Blackhawks

Most of the time, Tom and I are dividing and conquering with the kids splitting our time between kids and games trying to be there for as many as we can or having at least one parent present. I sat in the pouring rain watching Peyton cheer on Sunday morning while Tom drove Austen to drivers ed and then took Hailey to her game which I met him at. Now it's just cheerleading but I still think it's so important we show up to support our kids in whatever activities they do. (I even got Austen out of bed on Saturday to go with me to Hailey's cheerleading competition while Tom took Peyton to her swim meet.) I know our kids will remember us always being there for them. My parents were always at my brothers' and my games and I wanted to give that to our kids too. 

I know our kids will always remember too that we make the time to spend together. A lot of that happens in Michigan but it happens here too whether it's dinner out on the weekend together or playing a game or taking the dog for a walk or even watching a Blackhawks game which we got to do on Sunday evening.

Before the game (which was at the United Center by our old place), we went to dinner at one of our favorite pizza places (Roots). We did a drive by of our old condo and where we used to grocery shop and the kids' old school and the parks they used to frequent. Can't say I miss the city these days with all the crime and carjackings but I did enjoy our time there and it's nice to go back and hear the kids remember certain things (Austen especially since he was almost 7 when we left). 

After our little tour down memory lane, we arrived at the game early as Tom suggested we watch the warm ups since it was also Hailey's first Blackhawks game. Our seats were also amazing thanks to Tom's connections. Right behind the goal, first row. Let's just say it's a whole different perspective when you see the puck hit the glass in front of you or the players start a fight right there and you're so close you can see his bloody teeth. Or when someone gets hip checked and it looks like he's coming right through the glass in front of you which startled Hailey a few times.  

The Hawks lost but we had a great evening together. Hailey enjoyed her first Blackhawks game and we even brought a Tommy Hawk dog toy home for Sadie!