Monday, March 23, 2009

Sport Time!

In an effort to give the twins some exposure to organized play - and since we didn't want to assume that our boys would be soccer players simply because they are from Colombia - we have enrolled all of them in a Saturday morning sports program at the rec center across from our neighborhood. It is called Sport Time and will give them an introduction to various sports. So far, they have participated in basketball and hockey.

Their first class was the weekend Troy was running his marathon. It could only be described as pure chaos! Luis and Daniel wanted to be in Samuel's class and they just were not getting that you can play any other sport with a ball than fútbol (soccer). Luis kept kicking the basketball (though I do love his little soccer kick) and Daniel kept bouncing the ball off of his head. Only Samuel seemed to care that they were learning how to play a new sport, and as it turns out, his gym teacher started their basketball unit the next Monday - needless to say, Samuel was elated that he knew what basketball was and how to sort of play it. The second weekend, the organizer moved the 5/6 year-olds to 10:00 AM (the 4's are at 9:00 AM) which was a huge relief because it enables us to focus on one age group at a time, and the twins always require twice the effort (poor Sam!).

We aren't sure of what sport they will learn next, but soccer is definitely in the rotation, and we will be beaming with pride as our boys kick the ball around and bounce it off their heads. I think we have learned that Luis and Daniel are soccer players to the core, but Samuel is enjoying all of it. He really wants to try new things, see how it works and then see if he can do. Unfortunately, if he doesn't get it the first time, he decides he can't do it and wants to give up. The biggest blessing of his class being split from the twins is that it enables us to cheer a little bit more from the sidelines for him. His next endeavor will be something he is great at and loves to do: running. The rec center is offering a track program with real meets at a local university. Troy is planning on coaching. We will keep you posted on the details as the program starts.

Here are some Sport Time pics. Sorry for the not so great quality. The gym is really dark and the kids move really fast, but you get the point, right?

Luis was actually pretty good at shooting the ball. He got it in the basket nearly every time which we thought was pretty impressive for a little guy who has never played basketball before.

Daniel struggled a little, but he did make one basket and it was the most exciting thing in the world. He kept jumping up and down, saying "I did it Mamá! I did it Papá! I did it! I did it!" He was so excited and it was just too cute!

This is one of the organized games that the 4-year-olds get to play. The cones they are carrying are their "steering wheels". Note Troy in the white shirt trying to get Daniel to join in. Luis (in front of the guy in gray way in the back) had no problem running around.

Sam being silly while one of his classmates shoots the ball. The big kids got to play with the big hoop.


Here's a short clip of Samuel shooting the ball. Not too bad!

Troy will have to fill you in on this past week's hockey class since I was not there. I heard it was crazy though!

2 comments:

Unknown said...

That sounds like a great program for the kids - and it looks so fun! Just seeing my kids in a gym would bring tears to my eyes! But I can be a big band supporter, too...I think :)

Red said...

Sounds like fun - can't wait to see more. ;0)