I really enjoyed the latest Checking In blog entry about hockey player's "rituals" before a game. I guess players have just as many superstitions about how a hockey game is won as L. does.

But I would say that L.'s ideas about good luck are all over the map. When the Pirates were facing the Hershey Bears, she dictated that our family give up chocolate.

Another case in point is the new no-eating-chocolate rule instituted by L. She came home from Thursday night's Pirates game disappointed that they didn't win.

"I'm going to give those Bear guys bad luck. I am NOT eating chocolate anymore. That will help the Pirates win!"

Then there was the bulls-eye candy G. bought before a game and the white cream looked like a #1.

"Look mom, it's a number one! The Pirates are gonna win tonight, I just know it!"

Then there was the night we listened to a game on the radio.

But after listening to the game last night, the kids and I decided we had to go to the next game in person to cheer on the team.

"We might be good luck mom!"

And the one thing last season that L. believed was the worst luck for the Pirates was bringing Grandpa to the game with us. I made a podcast of the kids talking about going to games last season and L. talked about the fact that every game we brought Grandpa with us during the regular season, the team lost. She referred to him as "bad llama luck."

Listen to two little girls' perspective
Pirates hockey games

But this year, L.'s decided that Grandpa is good luck because the team has only won the games we've attended if he was with us.

We'll see if the Grandpa luck this season holds tonight.

Go Pirates!