Ball and Ballet

Yesterday was Opening Ceremonies and first game of the season for our Little League player. Gabe is a t-ball player. He has been a natural thrower and a hitter since babyhood. He was ball shy with catching, as he has caught too many in the nose. He tried to get Dad to buy him a helmet with face cage for practice. (He got the helmet, not the cage.) He has been gaining confidence with catching, and his coach even called him a ball magnet, covering first base during practice last week. Wow, did that ever give him a boost and a love for first base position! There is so much to learn in a first sport besides the rules of the game, learning new lingo, paying attention at all times, listening to the coach, following the instruction without delay, and in baseball, the all important keeping your eye on the ball. Some aspects are more of a challenge than others for Gabe, and all so valuable. It is great to see Gabe's love and enthusiasm for the game as he anticipates each practice and game. Out there on the field, he looked like the real deal.
Lydia has been dancing since September. She started out in a pre-dance class for 3-4 year olds and January moved up to Ballet 1 with 5&6 year olds. Ballet poses and movement come second nature to her. She too does what she loves, in her case, twirling, walking on tiptoe, and holding her head like a princess. She has been challenged at 4 years of age to stay focused, attentive, and obedient to her instructor for an hour long class each week. There were a few weeks when her enthusiasm began to flag along with her focus, and I feared we had made a mistake to advance her. She has pulled through and regained her joyful anticipation for lessons and is giving her best, which is all I can ask.