Basketball!

It appears that 'Big Boy-hood" started at the age of 3. We've started talking full conversations, true negotiating, critical thinking, potty training, and SPORTS! I was excited to find a basketball league for Connor's age group at the YMCA and enrolled him ASAP! Monday night was our first practice. We were very fortunate to get a wonderful coach, by the name of Matt. Connor was quick to point out, "Coach Matt...like MY Matt!" It was cute and funny how over time, "Mommy's Matt" has turned into "Connor's Matt."

Practice was a little overwhelming as we were in a gymnasium full of kids all echoing. It was noisy and chaotic! Since Connor hasn't been in anything too organized with an instructor, it was a slight adjustment to get Connor to follow the instructions of his coach. The concept of sharing the basketball with other teammates is something we need to work on as well!

Practice began with Coach Matt explaining to the kids that "this is the ball" and "this is the basket." Connor was quick to chime in and say "No, that's the hoop." ;)

It was hard to get the kids wrangled in line, let alone getting them to understand that there weren't enough basketballs to go around and that they needed to SHARE. When it was Connor's turn, he showed off some skills :)

The team was then instructed to get in a line and get ready to run a lap. I'm pretty sure all Connor heard was "RUN" so he hopped up & took off around the outside of the gym ALL THE WAY AROUND. I tried to put on my I-have-control-over-my-child-face as I quickly trotted after my child all the way around the gym :).

Once I got a hold of my child, the rest of practice was kind of tough, as Connor was annoyed I told him he couldn't do his running around the gym & had to listen to Coach. I was able to get him to stand in line with the team while he waited for his turn to practice dribbling. Connor kept hopping out of line, so he ended up at the end. Once Coach got to him, he handed Connor the basketball and asked him to dribble across the court. Connor took the ball, plopped it on the court, and started kicking it. Our Matt has been working with Connor on his "soccer dribbling", so when Coach Matt asked Connor to "dribble," he thought he was doing the right thing! I guess we need to work on the difference between "basketball dribbing" and "soccer dribbling."

"Dribbling" AKA "Traveling"

A one-on-one lesson :)

We are so happy to be on Connor's buddy, Ryder's team! It's so nice to get the boys together on a regular basis, since they are very much alike! Danielle (Ryder's Mom) and I started out as Blog Friends (thelutz.blogspot.com) and now we get to watch our boys play together. They're so great to have around and I adore her boys!

Smiley Ryder :)

Connor showing good form!

Coach announced we will be the "Red Team" and will get our uniforms in the near future. At the end of practice, the kids let out a "Go Red Team" chant.

This basketball season is going to be interesting to say the least!