If You’re Over the Bridge and Need a Treat

When I’m out of town and need to pick up some treats, Cassis Bakery in Beverly is my go-to stop for sure.

When charged with bringing a dessert to so many different occasions over the years, I’ve opted to get a big assortment of yummies from their display case and they’ve always been a huge hit.

Check them out here! Cassis Bakery

Good Dog Gallery

While the charm and beauty of Rockport never gets old, one of my favorite parts of my evening walk/run with Marlin is the window shopping throughout downtown Rockport. Quintessential New England, for sure.  We have such a huge collection of absolutely fantastic shops with such wonderful diversity. There truly is not much that can not be purchased locally! If you haven’t, for whatever reason, spent time walking and shopping through Rockport, you are missing out.

I have been getting a kick out of photographing door fronts and displays during this sleepy season as Rockport begins to wake up from it’s winter nap.  It will not be long until ice cream is dripping down arms, the doors open full-time, and the shopping can begin in full force.  Make a point to visit…and visit often.

That all being the case, I was very happy to hear from Pamela Wasserman, of Good Dog Gallery on Bearskin Neck.  I am also happy to share her words…

“When I first heard Black Dog was coming to town I quickly realized exactly what it means when they say “competition is good for a town!” I immediately wanted to make my place bigger and better than it was before.  However, just as I was securing a new, larger space, my mother fell ill and I spent the entire winter assisting her. The pressure of simultaneously renovating a bigger, more expensive space was simply not possible.

Another dog-themed store will only portray Rockport as an even more dog-oriented town! Someone came up to me the other day and said, “There’s TOP DOG, there’s GOOD DOG and now there’s BLACK DOG!” Rockport is indeed known to be very a very dog-friendly town. It may be due to such a low traffic level on Bearskin Neck.  The lack of traffic encourages people to come walk their dogs, shop, and especially to grab a treat at Roy Moore’s and then over to Good Dog Gallery. Water dishes line the streets of Bearskin Neck, waiting for thirsty pups.

Celebrating Good Dog Gallery’s 10th year in Rockport, I am proud and honored to have so many returning customers dropping in to say “hello”, to grab a treat, or to do some shopping after the long, wicked winter we’ve had! Spring is a wonderful time to see all those familiar faces, wet noses and wagging tails!

Having moved here after 20 years in Woodstock, Vermont, I chose Rockport to showcase all the doggie goodies we have today. Those items include the delightful art, books and gift items of celebrated dog artist and sculptor, Stephen Huneck, whose flagship gallery that I managed for years, was located in Woodstock, Vermont. He has since passed, but his delightful, light-hearted dog art remains very popular, recognizable and highly collected.

We at Good Dog Gallery not only take doggie humor very seriously, hence the GREETINGS mat in the window, depicting one dog sniffing the other dog’s butt, but we take pride in all the products we offer. We assist in fitting each dog to the proper harness, sweater, or coat. There is a great selection of collars and leashes to choose from. We maintain a gourmet “Barkery” with all natural ingredients made in New England.  We even feature the ever popular crispy, crunchy, dehydrated and locally caught, Cod Skins, made right here in Rockport! Yes….Good Dog Gallery’s owner has the glamorous job of hand rolling and dehydrating those cod skins for up to 14 hours! As our slogan states: “Everyone makes the same face, but they keep coming back for more!!!!” And boy, do they!

We may be small, with only one location to focus our passion on, but we have gone to great lengths to find and offer dog art and unique gifts for every dog-lover and a great selection of dog gear + treats that keep tails waggin’!

So, as we say at Good Dog Gallery, “C’mon in and have a sniff around!”  GOOD DOGS WELCOME!”

Good Dog Gallery

Tail Wagging Art, Gifts, Gear, and Treats!

for Dog Lovers and The Dogs We Love!

49 Bearskin Neck, Rockport, MA 01966

978.546.1364    info@gooddoggallery.com

www.gooddoggallery.com

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Nichole’s Picks of the Weekend 4/4 and 4/5

We celebrated an early Easter with my extended family last weekend, so our plans for this weekend are kind of minimal…which is really nice!  I plan on clocking some time at the pool in the Aqua Room at Cape Ann Marina and Mile Marker One and hopefully taking some long walks in the woods and/or on the beach.  Never forget how great it is to walk out at Halibut Point, Ravenswood, around Goose Cove, etc.  Those destinations and more will be a future blog post when the weather gets just a tad bit better.

If you’re looking for something to do that screams “Easter” please don’t forget about last weekend’s pick about Appleton Farm’s Egg-cellent Easter Adventure! It is happening again this Saturday from 10-12 and sounds like a great time!

Pick #1

Easter Cruise on the Beauport Princess

Sunday, April 5
Easter Brunch Cruise!

Join us for live jazz, a gourmet buffet brunch, a cruise around our lovely harbor and even an appearance from the Easter Bunny himself! It’s a perfect way to enjoy Easter with your family! 1:00-4:00pm. $58 adults/ $26 children. Call early for reservations, this cruise always sells out!

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Pick #2  

Easter Brunch at Tupper Hall!

My disclaimer is that I can’t promise that this event is not sold out!

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Pick #3

The Seacoast Science Center

I love this place!  While summer weekend visits are a no brainer…weekends such as this one are nice too because all the inside activities are open, but the weather is getting nice enough to walk around Odiorne Point State Park to explore and take in the gorgeous view too!

 

For a more comprehensive list of great family activities please visit our friends at North Shore Kid!

 

Hello, Black Dog!

You may have already heard the great news….but, just in case you haven’t…get ready to shop at The Black Dog on Bearskin Neck!

So exciting.  It’s quite an honor, if you ask me, for Rockport to have been chosen as The Black Dog’s newest location.  Rockport now joins a pretty fantastic list of other oceanside communities that are home to Black Dog shops.

Familiarize yourself with some of their great merchandise now…and start making your wish list…by checking out the Black Dog here!  FYI, they’re also hiring.

The first Black Dog General Store opened on Water Street in Vineyard Haven in 1992. Today, there are multiple locations of our Black Dog Stores from Portland, Maine down to Annapolis, Maryland. On Martha’s Vineyard, stores are located in Vineyard Haven, Edgartown and Oak Bluffs. On the Mainland, you’ll find stores in Falmouth, Provincetown, Chatham, Mashpee, Newburyport, MA, as well as Newport, RI, Portland, ME, Mystic, CT , National Harbor, MD, Boston, MA and don’t forget about our other island location, Nantucket!

What do these Black Dog townships have in common? The ocean, for one. A nautical heritage and a safe harbor are imperative. The Black Dog Tall Ships do visit these towns.

More importantly, these are towns that have much in common with The Black Dog, an appreciation for tradition, a love of the sea and all things authentically New England.

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TAH-DAH, Spring….and Roy Moore Lobster Co.

Marlin and I came upon a sight for sore eyes this afternoon on our walk through Rockport.

We were both pretty excited to see the one and only Kenny Porter…and crew…wrapping up the official Day #1 of the 2015 season at Roy Moore Lobster Co.   Fantastic!

Now we just need Helmut’s Strudel and an ice cream joint or two to open up and we can get on with our happy warmer weather lives.  Winter is over and signs of spring are everywhere!

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When the Cat’s Away

Anyone recognize this guy?  Circa 1987/1988.

For the record, while appreciating that amazing head of hair and thinking, “Just what would I call that awesomeness if I wanted to head to my local barber/hair dresser and get that done this very second?” he, himself, describes it like this

It’s more of a Power Mullet, than a mud flap…or perhaps the “Richard Marx” / “Simon LaBonn”

Tee Hee.  I laugh, but it is really quite impressive.  I was a junior in High School then.  My girlfriends and I might have stalked his locker if we went to school together.

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I Never Knew

I can’t even begin to count how many times I have walked by this sign without bothering to read it.  So, the other day, I did.  I’m not sure why it never occurred to me that there was an actual bear associated with Bearskin Neck.  Felt bad for the bear, but glad to have learned something new.

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Closing Time

This is one blog post that I don’t consider myself worthy to write for a couple of different reasons.  First of all, with only 15 years of residency in the amazing town of Rockport, I’m still a bit of a newcomer.  Secondly, my behind has never had the privilege of sitting in one of the well-worn leather seats that could tell almost 60 years worth of tales. Let alone the iconic horse saddle seat.  If scissors could speak.  What in the world am I talking about?   Well, THE hub of Rockport, of course.  Walt Julian’s barber shop.

As new parents, my husband and I made lots of decisions together…and some apart.  We agreed together on finding out the sex of our children before they were born.  We agreed together on names.  I, for example, decided on what the nursery would look like. And my husband, without consultation, decided that naturally their first haircuts would be done by the one-and-only Walt.  As if I would have argued.

Even prior to my own children, I can remember MANY an early morning that my husband would creep out of bed at a somewhat insane hour to get a jump on the line at Walt’s.  I still laugh about the day that he left at the crack of dawn as I slept on in disbelief.  I grew even more incredulous when the phone rang and it was one of his good friends….who had recently moved to Beverly…calling to see if he had already left the house.  When I said that he had already been gone for about 15 minutes all I got in return was, “Oh crap.  I’m never going to beat that line. Click.”

So, I’m sure most of you know by now, that Walt Julian has closed his barber shop. With almost 60 years of story telling, listening, laughing, trimming, buzzing, shaving, and lollipop giving….he leaves an enormous scrapbook of memories in his wake.

While I’ve only met Walt a handful of times myself…and I am not as rooted in history here in Rockport as many others are…I am thrilled and honored to have photos of Thatcher and Finn in Walt’s care.

Congratulations, Walt, on a respected and iconic career, for creating memories for generations of Cape Ann residents, and, now, on your retirement.

I wonder just how many family scrapbooks contain photos of you!  You will be missed!

Nichole’s Picks of the Weekend 3/28 + 3/29

So, we’re not exactly headed to the beach yet….but, maybe soon.

Pick #1

The Sound of Music at the Rockport Middle School

 

sound of music

Rockport Middle School presents :
The Sound of Music
Opening:Mar 26, 2015
Closing:Mar 29, 2015
Number of performances: 4
Organization: Rockport Middle School
Address: 26 Jerdens Lane
City: Rockport
State: MA
Country: United States
Website: rpk12.org

 

Pick #2

The Whodunnit Scavenger Hunt

Join Watson Adventures at the Museum of Fine Arts and try to solve the murder mystery.  1:00 on Saturday for ages 10 and up.

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A crazed killer is on the loose!

And it’s up to you to stop him! The killer has created a scavenger hunt that, when completed, reveals his name, the weapon he used, and where he hid the body in the museum. He sent the hunt to the police and dared them to try to solve it. The police need your help. You’ll get a list of suspects, weapons, and hiding places that are all items in the museum.

By following the trail of clues and answering tricky questions, you’ll narrow the list of suspects, weapons, and places and provide the police with the evidence they need to catch and convict the killer. Can you figure out whodunnit?

No knowledge of the museum or art is necessary, but good reading skills are helpful. Contact us to learn more and find more fun!

Learn all about Watson Adventures and this scavenger hunt here!

 

Pick #3

Egg-cellent Easter Adventure at Appleton Farms

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Say goodbye to the cold and celebrate the arrival of warmer weather here on the Farm! While we often associate eggs with the Easter Bunny, in many cultures eggs symbolize new life and are tied with the coming of spring. At this event, we celebrate spring, new life on the farm, and the bounty of fresh eggs produced by our hens.

Go on the “Egg-cellent” Quest around the farm and learn about the journey from egg to chicken, collecting Easter eggs at each station to complete the Quest! Enjoy homemade refreshments in our Carriage Barn, visit with the calves, and play games in the stone paddock!

Stop by anytime between 10am -12pm to start your Quest. Please bring a basket of your own to collect the Quest eggs. Note: It is only necessary to register for one ticket per family.

 

For a more comprehensive list of family activities, please visit our friends at North Shore Kid!

 

Learning to Fly

If you’ve ever thought about wanting to sky dive….if only it weren’t for that whole jumping out of a plane thing, then do I have the perfect place for you!

We made the short trek to Nashua, NH over the weekend and the boys were psyched to give “indoor sky diving” a try.

After a short instructional class to learn correct posture and some important hand signals they suited up with jumpsuits, earplugs, googles, elbow and knee pads, and a helmet.  It was right about then that I started to think, “Hmmm.  Maybe we should have waited a couple of years.”  But….”Fearless” and “Fear Not”….also known as Thatcher and Finn, were good to go.

Their first round in the tube was to try to get the hang out of flying with minimal help from the expert.  The second go round was quite a trip…with both boys soaring WAY UP HIGH…tandem style.

Sky Venture also has a pretty awesome wave and surf pool, a rock climbing wall, and a massive spinning fish pipe water slide.  I highly recommend the day trip and we’ll be going back for sure!

Skyventure.com

One if by Land, Two if by Sea

Just a few of the things that caught my eye while out walking Marlin last night. Including “our beach” and bits and pieces of Bearskin Neck….such as one of the most photographed lanterns on Cape Ann. It was nice to be able to hit the streets again without having to battle colossal snow banks.  Bring on Spring!

Hockey Mite Madness!

You’ve all probably heard (or read) me wax poetically about my love for our Cape Ann Youth Hockey coaches.  Well, here’s your chance to check it out for yourself. If your child has a 2007 or 2008 birthdate, has the appropriate skating experience (see below) and is interested in playing for CAYH’s Travel Mite Program, register now for Mite Madness!  The skaters will participate in a skills session with Gloucester High School players while parents have the chance to hear about what the Travel Mites are all about.

To Register, Click Here!

Mite Madness

 Skate & Information Session

Talbot Rink 

  • Roger Grillo, the USA Hockey Regional Manager, will discuss the ADM player development model and have an open discussion with parents and other attendees.
  • Pre-Registration is required.
  • Players must have participated in CAYH Cross-Ice, In House, or Mite Hybrid in 2014-15 (or an equivalent program) to register.  Skaters who have participated in Learn to Skate for at least 2 seasons and who have progressed to the “Learn to Play” sections are also candidates are also candidates for this evaluation.  Players must have a valid USA hockey number in order to participate in the on ice skate session.

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It is OK

Dear Future Teachers, Instructors, and Coaches of my Sons,

I’d like to take a minute now to thank you for the hours, energy, and love that you will undoubtedly be giving to my children in the future.  I know that it is not always an easy job that you have, but it is one that you accepted, however long ago, because you have the best interest of children, and now my children, at heart.   Many of you have simply volunteered…and don’t even get paid…and all of you spend a large portion of your personal time thinking about, worrying about, or being excited about things that have to do with the classes you teach, the lessons you give, or the practices that you run.

I know, no matter how much you love what you do, the down side is that your job will sometimes require that you make difficult decisions.  I know that those decisions will sometimes even cause you sleepless nights, a heavy heart, and worry, and pain.

I’d like to tell you now…that it is OK.  It is OK to not pick my son.

It is OK to not call on him when his hand in raised as high as possible in class, because you have 20 students and they all want to make you happy by knowing the right answer or sharing their thoughts.

I know that even that one silly decision….who to call on?….can be excruciating…each and every time.  I know that you make a mental note…and try to call on them all the same amount each week, but it is still so hard to watch their hands fall disappointedly back into their laps.

It is OK, if my son ends up not being able to carry a tune, that he does not receive a solo in the Spring Concert…no matter how much he wants one. You know what? Even if he can sing, but isn’t one of the best, it is still ok.  I know that you’ll find other ways to encourage him and make him feel proud. I know that you’ll let him know how important his role in the chorus is.

It is OK, if my son has trouble finding his inner actor, to not pick him for a leading role.  He may be crushed for a minute, but I know that you need to do what is right for the other children and the school play.  He’ll understand, because he knows  that everyone has strengths.  We will encourage him to find another way to shine and tell him how important it is to play that small supporting role.  The play couldn’t go on if all characters weren’t cast…no matter how big or small.  After all.

I image that my son will enjoy working on science fair projects each spring.  But, you know what, when it comes time to pick just 5 projects to send to regionals, it is OK to pick others…and not his.  His hard work and the pride that he feels when he presents his experiment should be enough for him.  And, it will motivate him all that much more the following year.  And, trust me, I know how hard it will be for you to pick just 5.  I know that you wish someone else could make those decisions.

I want you to know now that it is OK if his essay is not submitted to the writing contest.  Even though I’m sure he’ll try so hard to be chosen and want so desperately to impress you, sometimes you have to just pick one…and inevitably the other children will feel sad.  I know, without a second of doubt, however, that you’ll pull him aside and tell him how much you enjoyed his story.  You’ll make him want to write again….because writing is fun…even if your story isn’t picked.

It will always be OK if, when some children’s art work gets selected for the art show, his is not.  We will shower him with praise, encourage him to create more, and teach him to congratulate his friends for their creativity and their submissions.  His art will always have a special place in our home.

It is also OK, no matter how much he tries, to sometimes make the decision to leave him on the bench.   I know that you will take time during the season to help him improve, make him feel valuable, and motivate him to dig deeper.  And, because you’ve done such a great job, I know that if the team wins, he will know he has won and played a monumental role in the victory.  Even if his role wasn’t as obvious in the final minutes of a game.

I want to thank you again, because I know that it sometimes feels impossible.  I know that you became a teacher, an instructor, or a coach for so many wonderful reasons.  I know that you had giant aspirations to always be “fair.”  I’m also guessing that you never imagined how many times each year, session, or season you would feel burdened by decisions that have no “fair” answer.

I hope that you know you have our support and gratitude and the love and respect of my child.  Even if you didn’t pick him.  Because…even if you didn’t pick him….you chose him.  You chose to teach him, encourage him, support him, love him, challenge him, push him, excite him, and inspire him.  Your success, loyalty, or impact can not be judged by one, or even several of those difficult decisions.  It is based on the many moments, outside of those decisions, that you made sure to make him know that you are there for him.

I think it is important to tell you….not that you don’t already know….that I don’t expect all parents will feel the same way.  And…that I am by no means speaking for them.  I am simply telling you how I feel.

Thank you in advance for all that you will surely do….and for those difficult decisions you are forced to make.

Sincerely,

Nichole

Nichole’s Picks of the Weekend 3/21 + 3/22

SPRING!

Not that it feels that way ;(

Pick #1

Thanks to Paul Morrison you may have already heard about this…but it is totally worth repeating!

Paul did a post about it just yesterday!

Alice in Wonderland3

We have always loved the school plays at O’Maley and I’m confident that this will be no exception!

Pick #2  

Sugar Shack Saturdays @ Appleton Farms

Spring is coming and the sap is running! Experience the time-honored tradition of maple sugaring with Sugar Shack Saturdays at Appleton Farms. Spend the morning or afternoon with us and see how we turn sap into sweet syrup. Start by getting creative with some maple themed crafts in the Appleton Old House. Then get outside and explore our very own sugar shack! Learn how we tap our trees every spring, see the evaporator in action, and even taste some of our syrup! We will end back inside with some delicious snacks, including Appleton Farms cheese and a maple treat, while we read a sugaring story!

Morning Session: 10:30AM-12PM
Afternoon Session: 1:30-3PM

Recommended for ages 8 and under but everyone is welcome! Space is limited. Please contact crouillard@ttor.org or 978.356.5728 x18 for registration.

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Pick #3

This is a little less traditional, but I’ve been meaning to let you know about it for quite some time.

A fantastic on-line computer coding site for kids brought to you by MIT

Check out SCRATCH here!

Scratch is a programming language and an online community where children can program and share interactive media such as stories, games, and animation with people from all over the world. As children create with Scratch, they learn to think creatively, work collaboratively, and reason systematically. Scratch is designed and maintained by the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab.

For more listings check out our friends at North Shore Kid

Bowl or Floor?

Don’t get me wrong.  I grew up at the awesome Ground Round in Danvers where you could watch little film strip movies, play games, and chuck peanut shells and popcorn all over the floor. It was fantastic.

Fast forward, however, to now….and to Halibut Point Restaurant.

I love it there.  I’m all for a quick meal and a beer sitting at the bar talking with Jack. I’m also not afraid to dive into the basket of peanuts that is inevitably placed directly in front of me.  I do, however, while snacking….place my shells in the extremely convenient glass bowl that is ALWAYS strategically placed in close proximity to the peanuts themselves.  What I don’t do is channel my inner 7 year old….and chuck the shells all over the floor.

So, that being the case, I was a little surprised to watch someone eating peanuts and throwing the shells with reckless abandon…this way and that…all over the floor last night (that may be a slight exaggeration).

So, I ask you… If and when you happen to dine at Halibut Point…do you use the bowl or do you chuck shells on the floor?  Be honest.

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Kind of Breaking Restaurant News

So, if you’re on Facebook, you may already have learned this yesterday, but for those of you who aren’t…here’s the good news!

Top Dog of Rockport has expanded their awesome hot dogs and clam menu to include burgers!

Burgers! But sliders! Plain, cheese (Hoffman cheddar), cheese and thin sliced caramelized onions and cheese, pickles,lettuce and tomato. All burgers served on a buttered grilled potato roll. Also we have have the option of a special proprietary Top Dog sauce for the Sliders.

Check out Top Dog’s Famous hot dog menu below to get in the mood for Opening Day (around Mid April) and to wet your appetite until the new menu is released!

OLD (but awesome) MENU

There’s something pretty phenomenal about walking down Bearskin Neck and grabbing a hot dog and some chili cheese fries on a summer afternoon and sitting by the water’s edge.

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Proud Mom Moment

The title of this post should be your warning that if you don’t want to hear me gloat….read no further.

Ok.  There.  We got rid of them. The rest of you can buckle in for a minute…or two.

Joey likes to tell me that the majority of my posts are about drinking….or things related to drinking.  One of Joey’s good friends teased me a couple of weeks ago that all I do is write about sushi and my boys eating sushi.  Neither of them are far off, I suppose.

So, today I’m going to write about one of my boys…his amazing hockey team championship (which was cause for a few drinks afterwards)…and I’ll even mention that when asked what he wanted to eat for dinner on Friday to gear up for two giant Championship games…he said “sushi.”

Seriously though.  I almost can’t even believe how crazy proud I’ve been of Thatcher this hockey season.  He’s worked hard, had some amazing games, and had a bit of a slump.  He has scored hat tricks, chased the puck, passed the puck, and done his far share of stopping the puck.  He has celebrated his teammates’ successes with minimal showboating and he has accepted constructive criticism humbly.

More importantly than just Thatcher…the entire team has grown, learned, improved, and rallied.  Equally as fun…many of the parents have laughed, cheered, and bonded.  As a family we’ve made some friends this season that we hope we’ll continue to play and cheer with for many, many years to come.

Thatcher started the Learn to Skate program with Cape Ann Youth Hockey when he was just under 3 1/2 years old.  He pushed the milk crate, cried a few times, and was soon off and skating.  For three full seasons he then participated in the CAYH Cross Ice Program. He learned skills, met some great friends, and grew to love playing more each year.  It didn’t take long at all for us to realize that hockey was to continue being a part of our lives for a long, long time.

During those three years I often joked with friends who were parents of slightly older children.  “When do they actually start playing games?”  I mean, don’t get me wrong, practices, drills, and mini scrimmages were cute and all, but after 4 full years I was ready to cheer during a full-fledged game.

This year….was that year.

This year’s hockey season started waaaay back in October…and ended yesterday.  The team started off slowly with a couple of wins, a tie, and then three losses in a row.  And then….something happened.  Something clicked. And, forgive me….but, the winning started.  This amazing little team of 7 and 8 year-olds started to become somewhat unstoppable.  To say that it was fun to watch is an insane understatement.  PLEASE don’t get me wrong….losses would have been fun to watch too…and I swear I still would have been crazy proud of that little team…but, to watch their success play out weekend after weekend as they hugged, high-fived, laughed, and celebrated gave me giddy goosebumps.  I tear up each and every time I watch Thatcher score.  Seriously, each and every time. I’m tough on Thatch…I expect a lot of him when it comes to manners, participation, hard work, politeness…pretty much you name it. That having been said, there is something about watching him skate so effortlessly and observing him be a part of a team….while we sit back and watch from afar that leaves me in awe.  It is never lost on me, and forgive me for throwing it out there…but it’s a big part of why I’m ridiculously emotional about him right now…that several doctors recommended that I end my pregnancy with Thatcher. There are quiet moments that happen almost daily when I think, Thank God. This weekend, for whatever reason, I thought that every second that I watched him play.  Thank God.

I love what he has gained from playing hockey.  I adore the player and the teammate that he has become.  I am thankful to all of those within the CAYH organization…especially this year’s coaches.

As the Cape Ann Mite Hybrid team went undefeated from November 16th, all through December, past January, into February, and unbelievably all the way to the end of the season this March, I saw changes in Thatcher that crept up on me and caught me off guard.  While I was so eager for him to play those “real” games….I wasn’t prepared for how grown-up he’d seem out there on the ice….not needing me for a second.  Like all parents, I’m an integral part of every other single aspect of Thatcher’s life.  But hockey…is all him….and his teammates and coaches (one of which happens to be my husband).

So, the regular season wrapped up with Cape Ann in 1st place.  With a first round bye, the play-offs only consisted of two make-it-or-break-it games for this little engine that could.

And…they could.

A 6-0 Shutout Win for rockstar goalie Luke Holmes (coined Luuuuuke-There-It-Is) by his teammates…who probably don’t even know that song…solidified the team’s journey to the Championship game yesterday at the Haverhill Valley Forum.

I am by no means a sports reporter so I won’t try to regale you with the details, but let’s just say that the game started with Cape Ann down 0-3 pretty quick into the first period and, wrong or not, dread started to creep into my spine. While we did eventually settle in and start to score, there was never a time during the game…and until maybe the very last minute….that there was any relief.

A final score of 8-7 led to some tears, an explosion of cheers, some tackling of a goalie who had another phenomenal game, and some deep, deep sighs of relief. Would it have been ok if they lost?   Of course.   Would be still have celebrated a tremendous season?  You betcha.  But… Am I secretly, almost ashamedly, beyond proud of those little skaters because of their Championship Season? I’d be lying if I said “no”.

I laugh even as I write this…because he’s 7 and it was a Mite Championship…but, I just can’t help myself but to feel so proud.  I have taught students who are now playing college sports on scholarship, I have friends whose children are winning State Championships, I even graduated with a classmate whose son plays in the NBA.  I rode in two World Series Rolling Rally Parades and stood on the field with all of the members of the winning Red Sox teams game after game. Gosh knows all of their parents felt proud. But yet…right now…while my little champion carries on, I can’t imagine how a parent could ever feel more proud.

Congratulations Cape Ann Mite Hybrids and Valley League Champions!  You should all be incredibly, incredibly proud.