Our Basketball Season

Yesterday, the kids finished their Upwards basketball/cheerleading program. We have really enjoyed it! In the past, I'd asked Brandon if he'd like to try basketball, but he always just shrugged his shoulders and gave me the impression of "not really" so I didn't push. I like being home :)

This year, however, I leaned on him to give it a try. He agreed and along came Nicholas and Megan to join up too ;)

I've sang the praises of Upwards before; how it's a Christian-based program and they focus more on teaching the game and less on the actual winning/losing part. I really appreciate that. I like that there are kind coaches who don't make a big deal out of things and instead choose to celebrate the victories of each individual based on their skill level. I think that's very important for young people who are learning something new.

So, here are some of my favorite pictures from this basketball/cheerleading session!

Check out Nick's blocking skillz ;)
I love this picture because not only does he have a huge smile but he has friends on the cheerleading squad on the sidelines :) (Margot, do you recognize any of them?? ;))
He did good at staying with his guy.

Our little cheerleader. Megan missed the last game because she has strep (UGH!).
She LOVED the mascot (a lion).
She wants to try basketball next year.

Brandon enjoyed this the most I think. He looked forward to every practice and game and really gave it his best. His age group does keep score but again they really focus on teaching the boys the game. It was really exciting for him to know some of the other players too, even though they were all on the other team! Our first game he and Kyle, who is a very good friend, were assigned to each other:
They had a great time blocking each other!
Brandon learned how to be a bit more aggressive:
I captured two of my favorite things yesterday:

First, they pray before each game. What a positive example for these young men :)
And then, this has nothing to do with basketball, it just happened to happen there:
Nick took a book to Brandon's game ;) He carries books everywhere now! Amazing!

In summary, we will do this again next year! It was a great addition to our winter (although it drags me out)!

Busy Saturdays

Last Saturday was a little different for us. We had three kids in things ALL DAY LONG! Basketball games started last week so for the next seven weeks, we will be very busy on Saturdays :) When I got our game schedule right before Christmas I just about had a panic attack! For some reason, I assumed Megan would cheer for one of the boys' games. I don't know why I thought that. She's not, of course ;) So we have three separate game times each week. Last week, Nick's game was at 9:20 this week it's at 12:20 and it will be different next week. Megan's are always the same and Brandon's flip between two times so that's not too bad. But Nick's are crazy.

The good news is that they love it! This is their first year in basketball and Megan's first year cheering and they all are really having so much fun! So, even though I'm used to a way more relaxed Saturday schedule, I'm happy to do this for them :)

First up, Nicholas:
You can barely see him in this picture, but I love it!
He took his job guarding very seriously:
So cute!

Brandon:
Brandon's age group only has two teams so they get to play each other every week. What's really funny is that he knows some of the boys on the other team from co-op! Last week, he and Kyle (a very good friend) were even assigned to each other as their person to guard! I think they both had some fun with that :)
I couldn't get any good pictures of Megan last week. I'll have to make up for it this week ;)
She's still cute ;)

Christmas Break?

Could you believe the balmy weather yesterday? Last night was the perfect night to go to the zoo and see the lights. But we couldn't go. Why? Because, for the first time, we've decided to participate in winter sports! GAH! The only gorgeously warm day and we had cheerleading and basketball practice as well as boyscouts! I knew there was a reason I don't sign my kids up for evening things!

Anyway, I may as well put up a few pictures from last night ;)

I was taking pictures from the back so I wouldn't be a distraction:
I didn't get her sweet, little face, but I know you know which one she is ;)

Kristen was helping me figure out my camera! This is zoomed with the flash. It's dark as many of my inside and zoomed in pictures are:
I was complaining to Kristen (who has taken photography!) and she made some adjustments and this is what I got:
You can see my little basketball player! Much better!

I'm just pretend-grumbling about taking the kids to their stuff last night. Both the boys have told me how much they love basketball! How exciting! And, of course, Megan loves cheerleading! We are so lucky to have the Upwards programs close to home :)

The lights at the zoo will have to wait for a few more days! (no doubt we'll go on the coldest day!)