Banana's ringette team won the gold medal in their age category of the Esso Golden Ring Tournament. Now we'll have to build an addition onto the house for her ego.

It has been interesting, almost unnerving, watching my mildest, most introspective daughter become a competent player in a sport I thought was reserved for bullies and brutes. I didn't think she had it in her. More accurately, I never, ever pictured myself sitting on a cold concrete arena bleacher at 7:30 am on a Saturday morning amongst a group of (I thought) belligerent, vicariously-living parents, but here I am. This goes to show you that your own children have the ability to surprise you with their interests and talents.

The other parents aren't as bad as I imagined (or was it remembered?). They are similar to me, in semi-professional and professional careers, and are (for the most part) interesting types. One parent is working on his masters in Education. Another is the office operations manager for a multi-national law firm. Most of the other parents and I have more in common than some of the snooty moms and dads that I encountered during Banana and McMonk's days with a local dance company. In that sport, the kids aren't nearly as competitive as the parents. Yikes.