The playoffs came and with the first round my sons first birthday . We were having a get together with friends and family a simple party nothing major after all the playoffs needed to be focused on , so just this get together would do .
I woke the morning of the day of the party I had quite a few things I had to do before the party at two o clock that afternoon . Like pick up the cake and a few other odds and ends . I was leaving my son in capable hands of our part time nanny Sue shed watch him while Sid and a few others decorated for the party .
I came back to a decorated dinning room and living room " good job Sid . Ready for the party ?"
" Yes , are you gonna get ready and get the birthday boy ready . "
I gave him a kiss " yep that's the plan . I'll be back down soon ."
After preparations we came back downstairs and started welcome guests .
The party started off fairly well there wasn't an abundance of activities . After all Colter was only one and didn't require much to keep him occupied, with friends and family about that kept him plenty busy . Soon the time came for cake and we made our way to the dinning room . As soon as my son was settled in I fetched the cake from the kitchen . It was then the traditional singing of happy birthday, the cutting of the cake and so on . Colter dug right into his piece of cake promptly getting frosting all over his face and arms . Of course I had to take a about a million pictures.
After I cleaned him up enough , there was gift opening . We'd only open a few at the party this whole birthday thing had worn the baby out . There where typical gifts for a one year old some toys and cloths which he'd grow out of quickly . There was a very special gift from my sons father that I hadn't noticed until now. Skates , his first pair of skates . I looked at husband
" I know its early but he will grow into them and you told me I only had to wait till he was steady on his feet and hes getting there. "
" You are completely ridiculous and I love you. "
It was a shame but that year the penguins excited the playoffs in the second round it devastated Sid , but at the same time the opportunity to play at worlds presented itself. Something I knew he wouldn't turn down He never passed up the chance to represent his country when given the opportunity to do so . The kicker about this worlds in particular was if Canada won gold , My husband would join the triple gold club. He'd join the ranks of those who had won a Stanley cup a world juniors medal and an Olympic gold. He was only missing the juniors. There were only 26 people who had done it before . If he could do it he'd be the first one to captain all three .
Canada completely dominated up till There semi final game , it was close but Canada ultimately won . Now we waited to see if we would see the Russian bear in finals they where playing the United states , as an American I wanted us to win but I wanted Geno to win more.
Russia won Geno had another chance to try to beat Sid , we'd see how that panned out . Sid had to convince me to come over to Prague for the final game with a 13 month old and a 9 Hour flight I wasn't so sure how it was going to go I was completely prepared for hell . I'd loaded the iPad with children's movies and we took the evening flight hoping threat would cue him to sleep . We only had one melt down and I settled his crying with in 15 , he was fully off breastfeeding and although he was trying his best to take to it he wasn't a happy camper. But I had to hold strong it was best . After he was settled down a few passengers glared excuse me for wanting my son to come with me and see his father .
We arrived in Prague safe and sound and met up with Sid a couple times before the game . In our last meeting before the game I kissed him " good luck handsome go make us proud. " Canada pretty much more or less alienated Russia Geno scored the lone goal for Russia . I felt so proud of Sid but sad for Geno he was one of the only three Russians that stayed on the ice . It was weird to me to see Sid and Giroux on the same team but nationality was more important here .
Once families were allowed on the ice I kissed Sid and handed him his son . " good game darling someone is proud of you . "
" Skate goal !"
Colter exclaimed proudly he was learning hockey words faster then normal words .
" Ah thanks honey , and thank you little man . "
Colter wrapped his tiny fingers around the shiny gold medal "triple gold " I half said to myself . After some chatting none other then Mr. Nathan Mackinnon came over . " Hey Nathan long time no see , nice win congrats ."
" Thanks Claire , couldn't have done it without our captain here . " he patted Sid on the shoulder
Sid laughed " Oh I'm sure you would have been fine but thanks Nathan . " Nathan then turned his attention to the child in my husbands arms " you must be little Colter I've heard so much about you it's a pleasure to finally meet you . " I smiled at the grin plastered on both Nathan and Sids face .
" Skate !" Colter said starting to babble on with words mixed in occasionally .
" You haven't taught him to skate yet have you Sid ?"
" No not yet . " I replied " Although he's been itching to do so ."
" Can you blame me he seems so eager to learn ."
" I'll make a deal with you then , how about when we go back to Cole harbor this summer you can start trying to teach him to skate ."
" Really " Sid's face lit up .
"Yes really he's steady enough on his feet now by himself but you still have to be careful alright . " He nodded acknowledging he understood .
" You hear that little man your gonna learn to skate ."
In that moment I wasn't sure who was more excited my son or his father . This was my family and I couldn't be happier
