And She Tells Me She Won’t Play Ball…

I have always told myself that I wouldn’t “force” my children to play any sport.  After all, it was sort of by accident that I found my love for basketball in the third grade. 

No accident, however,  on the part of my Aunt Donna who asked my mom if she could take me to the Ozark Mountain Basketball camp because she thought I might have game :) 

So a knobby-kneed kid that could fit her mom’s shoes in the third grade with big maroon glasses headed off and met her soul mate.   The rest was history.  I spent my days (and nights) for the next fourteen years sweating it out in a gym. And I mean that in the most literal sense possible.  I lived, breathed, and loved a simple game.  But it was so much more to me.  It was a thrill to me.  I never once hated it or thought that I could be “burned out” on it. 

That commitment resulted in some of the best years of my life.  It also resulted in some of the best friendships that I have ever made.  It was avenue that allowed me to travel to lots of neat places, and meet lots of neat people.  It taught me so much about life. 

Over the years, I have witnessed lots of different “types” of parents and the level at which they are involved when it comes to sports and their kids.  I have always said, I would not force my children to play any sport, however, I’m thinking about changing that! :)

Not too long ago, I dressed these guys out for a little fun.  I bought these matching uniforms the week I brought Jeryn home from the hospital.  He finally grew into his, although Jaiden had grown out of hers about a year ago.  I came to the following conclusions:

First of all, anybody that looks this cute in a jersey MUST at least try one full season of basketball.  Be it upward, pee-wees, or boys & girls club, it is now a requirement.

 

Secondly, anyone who is having this much fun, or is developing a jump shot at five, is required to complete at least two seasons of one of the above mentioned basketball programs.

     

And lastly, anyone that gets an adrenaline rush from simple drills or from running out of a tunnel (or a closet) is required to play at least three years. ( I would have them wait in the closet and then I would announce their names, positions, and stats. They come running out of the closet down the hallway jumping and sliding…sooo funny!  They were really feeding off of my energy and getting into it!) 

Maybe, JUST MAYBE, they’ll love it as much as me????

If not, my guess is I’ll be living out of a horse trailer, watching late night ropin’s.