School Event Highlights

In March, we had some very fun and special school events. St. Patty's Day was one of these events. St. Patty's day is always fun in the Pergande household. Aunt Kimmy treated the kids with special St. Patty's day gear that they love to show off at school.


This March, Canyon also had his special 3rd grade performance where they sang and danced traditional folk tunes. Canyon is pictured below with his good friend Nathan. Canyon was also honored to have a special speaking part. He did great!



In March, Presley's class hosted an Author's Tea. Each student spent several weeks writing a special story. At the tea, the kids read their stories to the parents and then we enjoyed tea and crackers together. Here is the group Presley read with, including her special friend Jackson.

Hockey Tournament Highlights

Canyon's time as a "Mite" hockey player ended this March in the end of season Mite Jamboree. As one of the senior players on his current team, he was given the honor to wear the Detroit Red Wing's "Zetterberg" jersey for the last Red Wings Game. it was a fun tournament. One of the Moms made Player Fan Sticks to cheer on the kids. Presley was definitely Canyon's biggest fan, taking the fan stick to cheer him on whenever he was on the ice. So cute!



Canyon also played in an Elite Mite Tournament with a team that had players from around the South Metro. It was a really cool tournament, where they announced the kids names and gave them them spotlight as they skated in. Canyon's team won the whole tournament and it was a really fun event to be apart of!

Mom and Son Trip to Spirit Mountain

Canyon and Mom had a special Mom/Son trip to Spirt Mountain in Duluth on March 3rd and 4th with 6 other pairs of Moms and Sons. These are all pals from hockey. We carpooled to Duluth, making a special stop for the "World Famous" Uncle Toby's Caramel Rolls.


We enjoyed 2 fun (but chilly) days of snowboarding (Canyon) and skiing (Mom). One of our favorite runs was appropriately named Gandy Dancer. The days shifted between times with the Moms and kids together and with the kids going off on their own. Mom was still a bit nervous with the kids alone on the chair lift. But no one was injured (except for a snowboard that went all the way down the mountain on its own when Canyon accidentally let go of it).




Check out Canyon's Snowboarding Video....



We stayed at a hotel that had an indoor water park. Mostly, the boys swam and the Moms chatted but Canyon and I enjoyed several water slides together.


Before we headed home, we checked out the one of only 4 alpine coasters in the country. Like an alpine slide but elevated on a roller coaster track. Really fun adventure and fun trip!

Hockey Highlights and Updates

The official hockey season is winding down in MInnesota (as hopefully is Winter). Presley enjoyed her first real season of hockey as a Mini Mite on the Penguins team. She was the only girl on her team but it didn't deter her from getting in there and playing tough. She was also invited to play on the girls team for several games, which was fun to see her play and score some goals. While she went through times where she loved and at some times not so much, she has decided that she wants to play again next year.




Canyon was a veteran on his Upper Mite team, the Red Wings. This is Canyon's last season as a Mite. Next year, he will move up to Squirts, which is a big year in terms of more competition and more time commitment. He loves the sport (even if it is hard for Mom to watch). Have included a couple of pictures of Canyon playing goalie, at practice and in a game. At the mite level, all the kids get to play goalie over the course of the season. At the squirt level, goalies are selected at the beginning of the season. Canyon prefers to score goals over blocking goals but wanted to capture what might be his last times officially playing goalie in Hockey.



Minnesota is the State of Hockey and host to the largest high school tournament in the country. Eden Prairie made it to and won the state championship this year. We went to one of the semi-final games at the Xcel Energy which had over 18,000 people in attendance. It's a true cultural experience that we enjoyed!

Belated Birthday Highlights

The kids had planned to have two separate birthday celebrations for their shared birthday. The weekend before their birthday, Canyon celebrated his golden birthday. His birthday celebration started off with an after school play date with his pals, Nathan, Mike, and Dalton. They were excited to ride the bus home and enjoy some sledding before his party at Grand Slam Sports. Grand Slam Sports is a boy's dream. 15 boys played miniature golf, lazer tag, bumper cars, video games, and batting cages for 3+ hours (and never got bored). The night ended with a sleepover for 3 of his friends. Happy 9th Birthday Canyon!





On February 9th, we enjoyed a special breakfast and gift opening of presents from our family. We also enjoyed a dinner out after the kids got the present of their dreams..... an Ipod touch.



Presley had chosen to have a small birthday celebration and take a couple of friends snow tubing. Her celebration was planned for the weekend after her birthday. Unfortunately, a couple of days before her birthday she came down with a bad cold and a terrible cough and we had to cancel her party. We enjoyed her cake and decided to celebrate a half birthday with her this summer! Happy 7th Birthday Presley!

Special Events Highlights

Presley had her 1st grade concert this month. She wore her "special long shirt" again for this event. Fun to see her sing with her classmates. The theme of the concert was animals. She has a very special teacher this year with Senorita Koch. And one of her favorite pals is Jackson. Canyon also had a special event where he skated between periods of the high school hockey game. Just a 8 minute period but their team won over the other team 1-0.

Very Wintery January

It has been a very cold and snowy winter in Minnesota. On the coldest days, we have chosen to stay inside. On this particular day, we each made and ate "Salad People", following a recipe from Grammie's cooking book for Presley. Fun and healthy! But we also have enjoyed lots of sledding this winter as well. Dad has outfitted our yard with over 30 lightly used Christmas trees. Our pals the Holjes joined us one night for sledding, bonfires, and a Just Dance dance off!