Basketball

Kyleigh was able to participate in the First Steps Basketball program this year through Kadena Youth Sports. In First Steps sports kids from age 3 to 4 are introduced to the basics of a given sport including the simple rules, basic skills, and team play. This was really a great experience for Kyleigh as well as Kris and I. I think it gave us a sound idea of how life has to work with kids in activities and also helped bring to light some areas to work with Kyleigh on. Kyleigh had to really learn to cooperate with her team mates and focus on listening to her coaches even when she didn't want to. She did really well when it came to making baskets, particularly because she's so tall and didn't have to reach very far, and is a bit more coordinated when running backwards and shuffling her feet thanks to doing drills. She had a very hard time with dribbling the ball and it was very frustrating for her. She's really not had to work very hard to be successful in a particular skill before and she was just so heartbroken that the other kids were more able to do this task than she was. I really think Kyleigh viewed this as her first "failure" and it was quite hard for her to handle. We're still working on the concept that we can only do our best and that's all we expect of her, but being the little perfectionist she is it's not been an easy lesson. The interaction with the other kids and the coaches was really great for her and I was happy to have the extra time for her to be in an organized and physical activity.

At their last practice the kids were given certificates and a teddy bear to make the completion of the season. To celebrate we had dinner out at Chili's Too and followed it up with a trip to Basken Robbin. I think we are all going to be glad to not have the additional running on Wednesday nights but we'll miss it too. Kris and I are still undecided if we will be enrolling Kyleigh in the First Steps T-Ball season only because it starts mid June. While we bounce back and fourth on that Kyleigh is eagerly awaiting the start of Soccer in July. She talks about being on the soccer team nonstop and is set on starting this year. I'm actually surprised at how interested she has become in sports in general. She is always asking to watch a game on tv and gets really excited when we are out and there is a game on at the restaurant we happen to be eating at or at the PX in the electronics section. She doesn't care what sport it is either. We plan on continuing to nurture her interest and get her involved in the activities she wants as much as we can. We'll just have to see where the summer takes us!