Though Sebastian did not get any goals this time around, he did have one great breakaway and did a great job on defense and as goalie. Against other teams this year, Sebastian did not allow a single goal when he was playing goalie!

Here is the footage from the March 1 tournament game:

Sebastian is excited about starting up soccer soon and is really looking forward to getting back in hockey this fall!

The Midstate team started out with a warm-up skate followed by a pizza party. After that, they hit the ice for four back-to-back games against each of the teams. The half-ice games were 20 minutes running time, meaning they did not stop the clock for whistles or goals. Every 2 minutes, the buzzer sounded and teams make a line change. Essentially, each skater got two 2-minute shifts per game.

In his first two games, Sebastian made a great defensive effort. As you'll see in the video, Sebastian comes out from nowhere to check a would-be shooter. He also played as goalie for two minutes, but his defense did a great job and didn't allow even one shot on goal. In his last game, he finally got on the scoresheet with two goals in one shift. With the pressure of scoring lifted, Sebastian started playing more aggressively and almost scored a third goal, but time ran out. At the end of the tournament, each skater received a trophy.

There was no official scoring for the event because this is the non-competitive Tyke level, but Sebastian's team finished the tournament with a 2-1-1 record.

Sebastian scored a goal and had another good shot on goal. He played goalie and didn't let a single goal in!

Sebastian and his team had a great time during the practice and at the game later that night.

The Midstate teams did well against the Cougars, allowing just a couple goals and scoring plenty. Sebastian scored two goals on his first shift! On his second shift, he played the goaltender position (also a favorite of his) and blocked every shot that came his way.

Great job, Sebastian! We're all so proud of you!

On January 10, Sebastian returned to hockey practice, entered the rink, turned around, and gave me the thumbs-up. Mid-way through practice, he was moved from the lower skill level (IP1) to the higher skill level (IP2), so it was clear that he would be able to continue playing hockey without much problem.

The following day, Sebastian practiced with the IP2 kids and they played some scrimmages. In this video, you can see Sebastian making a couple goals (including one with a feigned shot). After the goals is some footage of some good shots and several other defensive plays Sebastian was able to make.

So as you can imagine, we're even more proud of him with his recovery since he has gotten back out there for hockey and is giving it all he can!

• 7 goals (16%) were completed successfully.
• 8 goals (19%) were abandoned.
• 28 goals (65%) will be carried over for 2008.

What goals have I chosen for 2009? 28 goals have been carried over, 14 new goals have been added, and 1 goal from 2006/07 has returned:

1. attend a local government meeting
2. Be a better blogger
3. be an audience member for a TV show taping
4. Be part of a flash mob
5. build an igloo
6. clean up my house and keep it clean
7. coach hockey*
8. create a photo wall in my house*
9. drink more water
10. eat healthier
11. eat with my hands
12. Find $100 in change*
13. find and schedule appointments with: a doctor, dentist, and optometrist*
14. fly a kite
15. Give blood
16. have a 3 month emergency fund
17. help my son continue his physical therapy until he is 100% rehabilitated*
18. know how to solve a rubik's cube*
19. Learn how to remember peoples' names
20. Learn Spanish
21. leave notes in library books*
22. lose weight
23. make a time capsule
24. make plaster of paris handprints for the family*
25. Not let distractions take away from my attention to the wife*
26. open the yellow pages, pick the seventh restaurant, and eat the seventh entree and dessert on the menu
27. paint my own abstract art‡
28. place a few more geocaches*
29. play hockey*
30. Reduce debt.
31. Send a message in a bottle
32. Send a postcard to Postsecret
33. spend ten minutes holding the door for people
34. stick to a budget
35. stop being late
36. take 43 photos of 43 places within 43 minutes of where I live‡
37. take a family vacation
38. Take the Mensa test.
39. teach my child phonics*
40. turn 33*
41. Volunteer
42. Watch all my VHS tapes and get rid of them.*
43. Write a will

* A new goal for 2008.
‡ A renewed goal from before 2008.

You can always view my current list and past accomplished goals at 43 Things or on my own 43 Things page here.

Here's to the new year. May I accomplish at least some of these important 43 Things. And here's hoping you are able to accomplish your goals, too!