Philip's Rookie Year

Philip joined his first sports team this year. Actually a 3-year-old, he began practicing with the 4- to 6-year-old Upward Basketball team in December. He played in two games and then became "official" when he turned 4 on January 22. He played another game and then at the following practice (they had practice each Monday night) told his coach he was done for the season. We told him that he could do that as we felt like it had come to that moment of either stepping down or pushing him beyond what would be good for him.

Philip gave basketball a good try and I feel that if he wants to play next year then these weeks of practice and games will provide a good jumping off point. He did warm up to his coaches and sat still during the devotion time at practice. However, his age and skill level just proved to be too much of an obstacle. Thankfully, he never saw himself as below average which he wasn't (he's just a beginner!). Unfortunately his imagination got the best of him because as he lost interest in basketball, he would enter his superhero fantasy world and begin doing his Transformer moves... yes, this was on the basketball court during a game with people lining the walls of the gym. He's gets an A+ for not having stage fright! At practice, Philip was all excited about doing the running and stretching exercises but as for the dribbling and shooting drills, he thought he didn't need that part.

We had a ball watching our baby participate in his first team sport, collect iron-on stars for attending practice and good sportsmanship during games, and gain social skills as he made new friends. Even though I'm amazed at how big he is getting, Philip is really so young still and has a whole life ahead of him. It's going to be really great watching those God-given talents emerge and him find his passion in life.