One More Photo

ONE OF THE other parents forwarded this photo which shows both Nice hockey teams playing -- the Under 10 team on the left and Under 8 team on the right. Beautiful setting. Beautiful Day. Beautiful Photo. Thanks Pascal.

Under-8 Outdoor International Ice Hockey Tournament at 6000 Feet

IT'S PRETTY COOL.  This weekend Henry's hockey team participated in the 6th Annual (yes, they've had that many) 10-and-Under hockey tournament that is held every spring in the French ski resort of Alpe d'Huez.  8 teams competed from France, Switzerland, and Italy and Henry played with the 8-and-under team and had what he called "an awesome" time.  That's a great way to describe it even though his team finished without a win and was outscored by...well, a lot.  But Henry was just happy to be skating around, shooting pucks, and watching other kids his age play.  He got to celebrate a couple of goals of his own so that added to the fun.    

From left to right: Nice 1, Nice 2, Laussane, Alpe d'Huez, Gap, Geneva, Chambéry

Henry and his "line mates" waiting for their shift

Yes, the kids loved the eye-black the coaches gave them.  It really was bright and sunny.

Morning view from hotel/apartment

Don't really need to say much about this one.

One of the 21 switchbacks on the climb up Alpe d'Huez.

The road is much steeper than it looks on T.V. -- if that's possible.  Brutal in places.

Dinner in Alpe d'Huez

Team Nice getting a pre-game pep-talk

What Brightens Your Day?

DURING OUR LITTLE Cup of Coffee Road Trip last Christmas break we started talking about the kinds of things that happen during the course of a normal day that make us feel good.  I'm not sure who said it, but someone in the family said that it is often little things that make the day a little 'brighter.'  With that idea Kerri suggested we start a little family project:  to actually take notice of the little things that brighten our day -- specifically the little things other people do that make our day a little better.  A couple of days later Brightened My Day was up and running and our project was underway.

Our goal is to write one thing someone did to brighten our day -- and to do it every day for one year.  Today is day 100.

The idea was to get all of us (especially the kids) to recognize little things we can do to make other people feel good and to realize the bickering and fighting is a waste of energy and time.  Some days they seem to understand the concept (as when Julia said, "It brightened my day when a friend told me how much she liked by bag") and some days we're not sure if it's quite sinking in (as when Julia said, "It brightened my day when mom and dad let me have extra TV time").  But hey, we're sticking with it and are hoping to keep it going for another 265 days.

Check in from time to time if you feel like it: Brightened My Day.