What I've Been Doing This Summer...

I have enjoyed my last few months working the day shift....every night it seems like we are running to some game or some type of practice. It has made me proud to see how much my kids have improved in their sports from Spring to Fall and even the start of the season to the end of the season.  There may have been a lot of digging in the dirt, some flops on the grass, a few tears, but also a LOT of fun!

 Jamie's T-Ball Team, "The Rockstars".  His head Coach was Cheyenne.  The Coaches were so great and really helped Jamie improve.  By the end of the season Jamie was hitting off pitches instead of off the Tee.  He was so cute running around the bases, bending his knees at the plate like a real player and giving us thumbs up during the game.  He loves sports and I love seeing the joy in his eyes!

 Lauren's Coach Pitch Team "The Bees".  Lauren begged to play after watching Jamie play in the Spring.  I think she thought she'd be playing Tee Ball too.  She had a lot to learn but her Coach, Jared Morgan was very patient and very encouraging with her.  Actually all three of her Coaches were great!  She was so determined to hit the ball and would almost cry (okay-she did cry) whenever she struck out.  Playing the field wasn't really her thing and she could often be seen twirling and/or playing in the dirt.  She took a ball to the head and a bat to the chest-but she is one determined and tough little girl.  The sweetest thing was the pizza party the Coaches threw after the last game.  It was great to see Lauren alongside her team.  Sports to me is about playing a game but also making friends and Lauren made some great ones!

 Lauren also played Soccer in the Fall.  Her Coach was Tami Wiggins.  They were the "Blue Sharks".  Lauren was a bit upset that she had practice for Baseball AND Soccer and Jamie just got to play his games.  But the practices really helped improve her skills and Jamie and I had some one-on-one time as we watched her practice.  Tami was very competitive and she yelled a lot (which I personally loved).  By the end of the season Lauren had scored her first goal and was showing an aggressive side that I have never seen.  She went from watching for butterflies to her Coach saying to her "you are really impressing me today"-(almost brought tears to my eyes).  She is a fast runner and is getting less afraid of the ball with every game, as a High School player myself, I really hope she wants to stick to it.

Matt gave me the OK to put BOTH the kids in Soccer, Baseball, AND Dance.  Jamie had done so well in Tee Ball that I was curious to see how he would do with Soccer.  Day one he was a little shy, but a little Manuel Deegan Jr. grabbed Jamie by the hand and they were off and running.  Jamie's Coach was Manuel Deegan Sr. and after meeting them we seemed to run into them everywhere we went.  I loved watching Jamie play as I was pretty much laughing the ENTIRE time.  The picture above illustrates how crazy it was to watch these "babies" play.  Most of them were wandering off the field, or playing in the grass, or running the wrong way, poor Coach Deegan trying to keep 5 on the field!  I have to say Jamie was one of the stars, which wasn't hard to do.  He scored multiple goals each game, he purposely fell down almost constantly each game, would often dribble the ball and accidentally leave it behind, and only a few times did he touch the ball with his hands (without being called).  He makes my heart proud and I can't wait to see him play his sports next year.

So, that about sums up my summer.  It was a lot of fun, but a lot of work.  Matt will start having the kids each night as of October 1 and I think it is a good thing that he only has to run them around one night a week, to dance class.  Lauren is in tap, jazz, and ballet and Jamie is in breakdancing.  I know that being active in sports helped me meet friends, gain confidence and stay out of trouble...I hope it works the same way for my monkeys.