Eli's last basketball game

Eli's game was at noon...it was 107°...and there was no air conditioning.  Thankfully they made it a short game, but it was not the most comfortable experience.

Ben was on a work trip, so Colin recorded for him.

I made a rookie mistake and forgot to push the record button on the most amazing play by Eli, but let's just say he has grown so much in the game this season and it has been so fun to watch him play.

I'm not a sports person, but I was honestly sad to see this season end. 

We all survived!

 

 Right after the game, they had an end of season party at the pool. 

Participation awards are getting out of control!

Perhaps the best thing that came out of basketball season was Eli making a new friend.  As we came to the last week of practice, Eli realized that meant he would no longer see his team 3 times a week and asked us to help him figure out a way to still see Nathan, his closest friend there.  So I gave him a card to give to Nathan with my information on it so his mom could call and we could set up a play date.  As we left practice, Eli asked, "So is that it?  Are we best friends for life now?".  I chuckled and he asked very seriously, "Why are you laughing?"  Thankfully Nathan's mom did call and we are able to keep the boys in contact :)

1st Basketball Game!

Eli's new cheese face...I remember Alison going through this same phase

Our Saturday was full of watching basketball.  I have a feeling this is just the beginning of long days of sports for this family.  The games were running behind, so we had to watch part of a game before Alison played.  It actually worked out well for us to sit on the sidelines and talk through the game with the kids.  They've only had a couple of practices where they ran through drills, but didn't really know how to actually play the game.  Ben was really excited for the kids to play basketball because it's his favorite sport, but I think I was equally excited because it's pretty much the only sport I really understand and can help them with.  

Both kids did amazingly well in their first game.  

Watching 5 and 6 year olds play basketball is one of the most entertaining spectacles in life.  It was the best!  Plus, they're pretty stinkin' cute in those uniforms.

Ben giving Eli some pointers before the game

Eli taking a shot!

It was exciting for me to see these two kids get in the game, really participate and LOVE it.