Lessons fun and baseball

When it comes to activities as ball, we allow our kids to make the choice if its something they want to be apart of or not. We do prefer they are apart of an activity, what ever they most enjoy. For us its about following through, having fun and building character. It is in no way about winning. Of course when they do win its an exciting victory. Little Man has chosen baseball or in many ways its almost chosen him. He is just a natural. A few years ago his team named him flash, because he is so fast. The boy plays as much as he can. Believe me while Allen is at work he wears me out. You see I can not catch the ball. I end up running all over the place, retrieving it. Last night ended this years spring baseball season. Little Man moved into live arm this year with the big boys. It has been intimidating for him, but a good experience. Last year he made all stars, he was on the top of his game. As he has been most of his last 6 years of ball. Even then he didn't have the complete confidence I would love to see in him. During a game his anxieties take over. He becomes very serious and focused. While thinking plays over two to three times before reacting. Its not just in ball he is like this in many areas of his life. I can go as far back to him learning how to pull up. He would pat around on the table thinking about doing it and crawl away. Then before you know it he would be back and think some more.

While most nine year old boys are drifting off wanting to show out for their team mates and run around as their coach is talking. Little man is the small one in the back quietly taking it all in. He will not ask questions but he is listening hanging on to every word. The problem with this is, you have to have a really great coach that can see him. He is easily looked over in his stillness. As I have been told before by a coach that did see him, he is the hitting, fast running quiet one that really knows and loves the game. He then stated "now that's a real ball player" Little Man thought this was the greatest. As a momma I love seeing my child doing what he loves. Even though he was not on top of his game this first year of live arm I see it as a great year of learning, growing confidence and building character. With a lot of fun, some great hits, outs and scores to leave with. Last nights game was bitter sweet. Bitter with the season coming to a close. Sweet to have a free schedule of enjoying summer. We spent about an hour or longer after his game was over. Watching the kids of all ages free play ball with their shoes kicked off. It great seeing Little Man play this way, no anxieties with a load of personality and fun.

I would usually have more photos of the Little Mans ball season. After the umpire called time on me for interrupting with a my flash, ending with Little Man smiling with his head down low. I have been camera shy. Poor Little guy with the mom that loves to document all his wonderful moments.

Sunshines last year of baseball. Maybe it was influence from cheering at all of her big brothers games, but Sunshine decided she wanted to play ball about three years ago. The first two years she loved it. She was the teams big time slider, sliding into home plate every time. She loved it, so we loved it. You cant beat having both kids enjoying the same activity in the same playing field. You really are two places at once. A mothers dream ya know. After her teams big pre season terminate win this year. We begin to hear " I don't want to go to my next game. I don't want to play baseball. Its too hot. As hard as it was talking to her over and over about the day I asked, "Do you want to play this year? Ending with her reply of YES. The fact she was part of a team and they all needed her. Before each game I was forced to have this conversation stemming from her complaint's. I was doing my best to make her think about our choices, following through, sticking it out and being a great team player. With her luck she was sick the last few games, hot games. Sunshine was happy to be sick and missing them, with no regrets of good bye. Its funny she felt this way because once she got out there she seemed to enjoy herself. She was proud of her game. Even with this, I was ready to tell her ball year goodbye as well. It wears a momma out pushing your child when they need that small nudge. I'm happy we got some great photos of the terminate before she realized she was not the girl for baseball. Her whole family there cheering her on all dressed in matching colors. We are so proud of her for following through even if she wanted to quit. She may not know it now but she gained character that will travel with her always. Hopefully I will be able to post some piano photographs of Sunshine have fun. She starts lessons this fall. Her new found activity. All her idea~