March Madness

Spencer just finished his first basketball season. Several of his friends were on the team and his dad coached. Amber, Emma, and Beth all supported the effort. Amber and Emma organized a cheer leading squad who performed at the end of practices. Jose and Anna really wanted to be part of the team but they were too young. Beth helped by organizing and distributing information, making phone calls to the team, and picking up the team pictures and trophies. We held the basketball practices in our driveway while the girls conducted cheer leading in our game room.

Although the league is organized to focus on very basic skills, competition was fierce at times. Most of the players on our team could dribble and a couple could even make a shot on an 8-foot high basket. Before the first game all the parents were saying that they would be surprised if either team scored more than a couple of baskets. The opposing team stole the ball, blocked shots, double teamed our players, and shot like 5 year old all stars. After the game one parent suggested that we start having multiple practices each week, and another jokingly suggested multiple practices every day.

All the players had a great time and they all improved during the season. Spencer told me that he loves basketball, and that was all I really wanted to hear. One parent told me that her son had finally learned to dribble. Another parent said that her son wanted to play all the time now. I have included a team picture and a very short video with this post.

Star Gazing

We held our family home evening lesson and activity outside tonight. We all sat on a blanket and learned about trying to be more like Jesus. After the lesson we gazed up at the stars, talked, and ate peanut butter cookies. We looked at Orion, Canis Major, Betelgeuse (pronounced beetle juice), the Pleiades (AKA seven sisters), and Taurus. It was a great family bonding time. Everyone was so happy. It brought to mind cherished family moments from my childhood. It is just a simple night with everyone snuggling up, but I remember how such simple moments left lasting impressions on me.