His Sights Are On The Olympics

I'm not sure if it's the connection to Russia because Roman is from there or if Braeden is just old enough now to really appreciate the Olympics this year, but he is very into everything that has to do with this year's Winter Olympics. He wants to watch any sport that is on and is still marveling at all of the countries included and how it all works.

On Friday while we were at an incredibly fun sledding party for his first grade class, he spent over an hour on his snowboard. He went from top to bottom most times and was so proud of his ability to balance and stop. When we were watching the Opening Ceremonies later that night he announced that he wants to compete as a snowboarder in the Olympics. I love his passion, but I'm pretty sure it's probably not in the cards for his future. Everybody needs dreams! And really, I guess never say never!

And yes, I know he's not wearing a helmet but it's a small hill and a toy snowboard :)

Basketball

When I was young, I started playing basketball in fourth grade. I played all the way through my senior year of high school with almost all the same girls that I began with 10 years earlier. I'd love to say it was a fantastic ride but it sadly ended my senior year with an unfortunate experience that left some very bad feelings and a desire to stay far away from the court. Honestly I didn't know if I would ever encourage my kids to play because I didn't want them getting swept up in the attitudes that can be associated with the sport. I had loved the game for so long but yet I was very wary just the same.

But last year I realized it was time to get over myself and my own experience and let Braeden enjoy how fun the sport can be and I knew that one of our very best friends would be his coach when he started so he began playing this year. He attended basketball camp over the summer and really enjoyed it, aside from the jammed finger, so he was excited for the season to start this winter. I have really enjoyed the experience of getting back in the gym and watching him love what I loved. Even the smell and sound of a gym during practice is comforting and very nostalgic. I'm so glad Braeden wanted to play!

Can I just tell you that these first graders are amazing!! I am so impressed with their abilities to listen and absorb the instruction they are being given and their skill levels are incredible for six year olds. Stepping into the gym has brought back a lot of the great memories from when I was little!

Reverse pivots

Jump stops

Ball handling 

He dribbles like it's no big deal!

They work on their lay up foot work every week and they are all getting so much better!

Three point stance

Of course Maggie wants to get in on the action!

My ballers :)

There are perks to having the coach be a close friend. He'll do anything she asks :)

And she scores!!

Soccer

Braeden's team had a soccer game last night. He was very excited to play and has been having a blast this year at his practices. He played goalie one week and was so proud of himself for stopping so many shots. But I think he got a bit confused last night when the coach told him to play defense. I'm not sure he actually knew what that meant because he spent quality time standing in one spot. I think he thought he was supposed to stay where he was and not let the ball get by him there, much like his goalie experience. I kept yelling at him to move around and he did some, but...

Waiting for the ball to come to him.

An airplane maybe?!

Making sure his hat was just right.

Skipping

Waving to his friends on the sideline

I think he enjoyed sitting on the sidelines with all of the "Parker Avenue Boys" as much as he did the game. 

He did get into the game a little and run after the ball sometimes. I hope that in the future he understands more about what is going on and participates more fully. But I guess it's better than Evan who only plays at his practices when I'm there (even though Roman is the coach).

Golf

Braeden started his golf lessons last week. I didn't make it to the first lesson, but I was able to go today to get some pictures. It is so much fun to watch these little guys try to play a sport that is difficult for many adults. All of the kids approach it so differently and are at varying levels of skill, though they are all in the 4 to 6 year old range. I'm so proud of Braeden for trying and taking interest in something new. For only his second lesson, I think he's doing pretty well. He's making contact with the ball (which is great), but he's having a bit of trouble transitioning from his baseball swing to a golf swing. But most of all, he likes it and is having fun learning. I think the best part is that Ethan, Brayden and Riley are all playing too so they are all having fun and trying something new together. I love it!

Before we left 

At the driving range waiting for instruction

 Ethan and Braeden

 Riley and Brayden (He's a lefty which is why he's swinging opposite)

I think one of the biggest thrills for the kids is the golf cart ride at the end. The instructor and his helpers load the kids into the carts and drive them back to the clubhouse. The lucky parents get to walk back carrying the kids clubs. Good thing a five year old's bag doesn't weigh anything. 

Smiles after a great lesson!

T-Ball Game

Yesterday, I had an AMAZING afternoon. Our t-ball team had their one and only game of the season and I am beyond proud of how the kids played. Everything that Michelle and I have worked on all season paid off because these kiddos got it. They hit, they fielded and they even made outs. I know that may not sound like a big deal, but they are 4 and 5 years old! They were throwing the ball well and the kids who were playing the bases were catching and hanging on to the ball in their gloves. It was all we could ever have asked for from these little guys. I'm glad there was another team willing to play a game because the kids were all so thrilled to be able to use the dugouts and feel like the "big" peewee kids. It was truly awesome and an event I will not soon forget. As always, I am incredibly grateful to Stacy for taking pictures for me because it's not exactly possible to coach, be the catcher and take pictures at the same time. Roman took a few too, but he was pretty busy entertaining Evan and Maggie while the game was going on. 

A warm up run around the bases

Ready position

Enjoying the big kids dugout

Batter Up!

Braeden scored twice!

 Cousins

 The Three Amigos

Ice cream to celebrate a great game!

We used the game as a way to end the season for both teams and gave out ice cream to all of the kids at the end. I'm so glad that we pushed for t-ball for the younger kids because they were all ready to play and now they're even more excited for next year. We had a great group of kids and a very supportive and dedicated group of parents who we could never have been as successful without. Thanks everyone for a great season!

My Little Ball Player

The kids got their team pictures at our last practice. I am so proud of how much effort Braeden has put into improving over the course of the season. Thanks to Jake he has become quite a hitter. He can also throw the ball twice as far as he could at the beginning of the season and with some accuracy now. We have some work to do on catching and squeezing the glove, but I know he will get there in time. What a great first year playing baseball. It's been so much fun for him to play and learn with his friends and I have had an absolute blast coaching.

First Day of T-Ball

Thank goodness Stacy took pictures of Braeden for me. She as a great eye for photography and takes amazing pictures. I am very grateful to have some from Braeden's first day. Thanks Stacy! 

The kids have been asking for weeks when T-ball was going to start. For one reason or another we weren't able to get practices scheduled until this week. Yesterday was the day! No more waiting impatiently for the little guys who had seen the older kids practicing the last few weeks. It was their turn to take the field. They all did so great. I was a little surprised, but thrilled to see how quickly they picked up the skills we were working on, and the majority of them had improved at one thing or another by the end of practice. The only real downfall was the weather. It was cold and very windy. It sure didn't dampen the enthusiasm though. Only a few kids even noticed it was cold out. The others were too busy running around, hitting, throwing and fielding. 

Warming up with a run around the bases

Batter Up!

Ready to field

Charging the ball

End of practice run around the bases

So proud that it's finally their turn to play

I think I was as excited as they were to finally get started. I loved being an athlete growing up and I'm glad that Braeden has become so excited about playing. Hopefully next week the weather will be better and Evan and Maggie will be able to come watch. Nothing says spring like quality family time at the baseball field!