Basketball, Uh Huh!

Second grade marks the official year that you can start basketball in the Rigby Youth League and boy have we been ballers.  Since they separate the teams into boys teams and girls teams, this is the first year that the twins have done sports where they haven't been on the same team.  Which means that there are Wednesdays when I have to take Ashlyn to practice 15 minutes early so that I can get Tanner across town and on time for his practice, then pick up one of kids 10 minutes early so that I can pick the other one a little late.  In between it all we are working around piano lessons, practicing, and homework.  Our days can certainly get crazy and this is just my first two kids.  Ian will be starting soccer and football this year and I can't wait to live in my van for the rest of my life :)

Ashlyn was a little nervous to start basketball as she is still developing the muscle to shoot and the coordination skills to dribble, and pass.  But this girl has the most positive attitude of any kid I know and she said that she wanted to try and play so that she could learn new skills and have fun.  And every week she tells us how much fun she is having playing basketball.  She has also learned so much and come a long way in developing her skills.

I always thought that having a dad that is 6' 4", would give my kids a height advantage.  Not so much... Ashlyn is the shortest on her team.  Some girls are a full head taller than her!  Maybe someday that superhuman Fillmore growth will kick in, but for now, she is the shrimp of the team!

Our Ashlyn truly is a sweetheart.  It has been a hard concept for her to want to guard and take away the ball from her opponent, as she is just too nice and always smiley and kind.  She would so much rather make friends and chat with the girl she is guarding than trying anything sneaky like stealing the ball.  (She certainly did not get that from me!)

And then there's Tanner... He takes this sport seriously!  He meets his dad at the door almost every night dressed and ready to practice.  Zac has set up a hoop in the garage and found a way to keep it heated in there so that the boys can practice to their hearts content.

Needless to say, Tanner is a little more aggressive than his sister and he is not afraid to go in for the steal.

This boy has some mad dribbling skills, but also specializes in shooting.  He is his teams top scorer and rarely misses a shot.  We are so proud of his dedication.  Basketball has been so great for Tanner and he has made lots of new friends and gained so much confidence in his new found skills. 

Both Zac and I love watching the kids and are so proud of them both and all of their accomplishments.  We also can't wait until Ian can play.  All of his practicing with Tanner and Ashlyn has already made him quite the baller!