My daughter is NOT a goon ... but she IS sneaky.

Most little girls like "girlie" things: dance, princesses, makeup, shoes, purses, etc. My Princess has her moments with typical girlie things, but she also has a tomboy side (wonder where she gets THAT?). And, as a result, our Princess started hockey this weekend. At five years old, she is a hockey nut. She comes by it pretty naturally, hubby and I love the game, and Princess has been attending hockey games pretty religiously since she was in the womb. Seriously. My little brother played at Western Michigan, and we attended not only the games here in town, but often, those in East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Bowling Green, South Bend, etc. I got pregnant with Princess during little bro's freshman year.

And Princess, even in infancy (true story), has been interested in the game. At mere months old, her adorable little head would actually follow the action. It was amazing.
She watches. She understands. She still refers to the penalty box as the place "where Uncle Bean used to sit". It's pretty freaking cute.

This year has been the first that she has really skated herself though. For real, I mean. And, as expected, she loves it. So, after completing the "Learn To Skate" program, she could not stop talking about taking beginning hockey. She even asked if she could sleep in her pads and helmet.

So, yesterday was her first day with her "team" on the ice. At this point, they aren't playing games, but instead are learning the fundamentals of the game through small-group drills. After yesterday's practice, she could not stop talking about the fact that Coach Brian told them they would get to use pucks today.

Can you say, STOKED? (One of the other moms there today, acknowledged that her son, too, was ALL ABOUT getting to use pucks - said he almost couldn't sleep.)

Well, today's practice had maybe 7 stations set up. And each station focused on a different skill or aspect of the game utilizing different drills, etc.

There were about 50 kids on the ice today - and only 2 were girls.

In a corner of the ice, far far away from the "viewing section" (where parents sat with their travel mugs and IVs of caffeine), the following took place:

During one of the drills, Princess was on her way back to get in line, and the kid who ran the drill after her, muscled his way past her, bumped her a little and slid in line in front of her. She said something to him. He ignored her. She said it again, this time, taking one hand off her stick, to gesture. Again, he just looked and then turned back around without moving or saying anything.

Princess moved right up on his back, quietly stuck her stick between his legs, waited til it was "his turn", cocked her blade and discreetly yanked his right foot out from under him. He hit the ice. She then stepped over the carnage and took her turn ahead of him.

No one noticed but me.

I also know that while I probably should not have been proud, I actually was. But just a little. Kinda. And, GOD HELP the poor boys who (eventually) want to date her. Oy.

I asked her this afternoon if she meant to knock him down.
She said no, that they just got "tangled up".

Pretty sure she thought she was going to get into trouble, as she looked a bit surprised that I even mentioned the event. (Remember, it happened in the corner of the ice across from where she thought I was sitting. However, Little Man was not AT ALL willing to sit still, so I spent the hour chasing him all over the rink.)

Still, it was a hilarious scene to watch. Sneaky little shit.

**Another side note: I emailed this exchange to a few people, including our friend Rick. (Princess and Rick are the President and V.P. of the mutual admiration society.) And, while he referred to my demure little Princess as a GOON, he also forwarded the exchange to a friend of his who had a HILARIOUS response: you may not be proud, but I am. love her response, esp lying in wait for perfect timing. I would like to meet that kid. no bankers will take bonuses while she is in office.