Elise's First Basketball Season Comes to an End

Elise and Anja played basketball for the first time this winter, and it was a ton of fun.  Anja was in the youngest group and they did skills building, with some scrimmages but no games.  Elise's age group practiced for a few weeks, then had games twice a week against other girls' teams in her age group.  They did very well, especially considering about half the girls on her team had never played before.  During the regular season they lost only two games, which meant they made it into championship play.  In the semi-final round they played a team they had previously lost to, and won by one point!

After the semi-final game, they were pretty excited!

In the final championship game they played the other team they had lost to in regular play, and hung in pretty close until the end, but could not pull ahead.  Elise was pretty sad they lost, but she did make a basket in the game and felt good about that.  We all think coming in second of all the teams in her age bracket is pretty good!

You can a short video of Elise making her basket here.

A Busy Winter

We have entered the stage in life where our lives are directed by our children's schedules.  In actuality this has been happening for a while, for several months at least, maybe longer than a year.  What we do with our free time, whether it is in the evening or on the weekends, depends entirely on what the girls have going on.  I've always tried to limit how many activities they are involved in, because I think it is important for them (and me) to have unstructured time to just hang out or do whatever the spirit guides us to do.  This winter I feel like we haven't had enough unstructured time, that we've been stretched a little thin with the addition of girls basketball to our schedule, which already has piano and horseback riding every week, and Girl Scouts twice a month.  I love basketball, but it has meant one additional night out of the house at practice or a game for Elise, and sometimes half the day on Saturday with one or both of them practicing or having a game.  I'm very glad they are participating, they have learned their bodies can do really cool things, have learned to communicate and play with a team, and have continued to build their self-confidence.  I think the key is making sure all the positives of participating are not wiped out by any  of the negatives that come with overscheduling, and that means trying to decrease activity in other areas so we make sure we still get sufficient down time at home. Sometimes we have been successful at that, and other times not.  Our typical weekend this winter has been basketball on Saturday and horseback riding on Sunday.  Both basketball and riding are a ton of fun to watch, but it has been a little tiring at times.  This weekend marks the end of our basketball season, and I am looking forward to having a little more free time!

Basketball

Anja has finished up her basketball season.

Elise at her last game.

She is taking a shot!

I think she looks so awesome.

Coming in after the freethrow.

At last week's game (which I couldn't get to), Elise made two baskets.  At her latest game, she took a couple of shots, one of which you can see here.

Horseback Riding

Almost every Sunday we spend a good portion of the day at a horse barn where the girls are taking lessons, learning about how to care for a horse and how to ride.  For most of the winter we have had good weather and it has been a lovely way to spend Sunday afternoons, outside and surrounded by horses.

The girls started riding in October, and Elise has been riding nearly every week and is really progressing.  She is walking and trotting, posting at the trot, and riding in two-point position (she needs to learn this before she can learn to jump).  On her next lesson she may canter, which she is super excited about!  Since October, Anja has had a couple of lessons, but since then she has been more interested in just petting the horses, helping Kelly, the stable hand, or playing with the owner's children and their dogs.  Recently, the riding instructor asked Anja if she just wanted to get on a horse and walk around and she said "sure."  At first, Elise walked her around, then Anja was on her own.  She did great!

We've had a couple of chillier days when we
needed to bundle up a bit more.

The two girls having a discussion about something,
or possibly Elise giving Anja some tips.

Anja on her own, on Annabelle!

Elise showing her sister how to clean a hoof,
and helping her do it.  I love to see these girls
work together!

Basketball Girls

Several weeks ago Elise came home with a note from school saying basketball sign-ups were coming up, and she said she wanted to play.  This program is through the county and is open to kids ages 6 and up, so I asked Anja if she wanted to sign-up also.  She said, "I'm too short to play."  Then added, "well, I guess I could run under their legs.  Ok, I'll play."  So this winter, both girls are playing basketball for the first time.  Anja's age group is a "skills" class where they practice shooting, dribbling, defense, etc., but don't play games.  Elise's age group will practice through December, then start games in January.  It has been a hoot to watch them, and see how quickly they are progressing. 

The only basketball experience Elise has had is in gym class at school, but she's doing pretty well.  See a short video of her at practice here.

Elise taking a shot

Practicing defense, Elise in yellow

Anja has great energy and enthusiasm, and adds some flair and personality to what she does (especially her wait time).  See a short video of her at basketball practice here.

Lots of concentration here

Taking a shot...

(this one did not go in, but she does make some!)