Oh, Baby, Athletic I Ain't

That's me on the left

with the girl standing on my back.



I've never had any interest in sports. Let's just get that out of the way. When I was in jr. high school, I was a cheerleader for 2 years, but not because I loved football. No, I did it because I looked cute in the uniform. I didn't know anything about football. I was happy to cheer what the coaches told us to cheer.

(Yes, these old pics are blurry but my scanner isn't hooked up at the moment.)

 I wanted to like volleyball, but I didn't. I quit after a minor injury. Balls hurtling toward my face make me duck instinctively. It was counterintuitive really. 

That's me (I swear) next to the
coach in the back row, #20

I wanted to like basketball. We always had a hoop in our driveway. But it turns out, I really didn't like all the aggressive girls in my face, dripping their sweat on me. I'd like to think I'm more refined than that. And running, there's that. I don't like it. 

As a high school freshman I had to attempt skiing. I didn't want to, but my grade was dependent upon it. We took a field trip to the local ski resort with my German class. Instructions, for those of us who had never skied before, were provided...in German. I spent way more time trying to get up off my ass -when I wasn't hiding in the lodge- than I did actually skiing. And I was in pretty good shape when I was 14.

Just learning to stay afloat.



Fast forward to motherhood. I gave birth to 2 beautiful girls...& they both love sports. They have been swimming since they were out of diapers. They are amazing swimmers. They have even taken some diving.



Can you see the bruises on her legs?



They both took gymnastics for several years, until it was clear that they were too tall to be really successful, & they were so bruised it looked like they were in a rumble.

They have both run in several races such as the 4th of July Firecracker race, & have run every year in the Akron Fun Run. They even raced to the top of the Terminal Tower in Cleveland.

Their 1st recital

They both took tap dance. It turned out not to be a favorite thing. They also took a trial course of Tae Kwon Do. They enjoyed it, but didn't pursue it once the trial was over. They attempted ice skating too. They are far better than I could hope to be (& it is my favorite sport to watch) so I was mildly disappointed when it wasn't a favorite for them.

concentration

They both began skiing. They were naturals. Both girls took to the slopes effortlessly. They now had something to enjoy with their daddy who has, in the past, taken ski vacations to Colorado, before marrying me...



ooh, so close!

We put a basketball hoop in our driveway & they occasionally shoot a few. My oldest signed up to play once & even though she was pretty decent, decided not to pursue it. We did, however, shoot a few together & I gave them the shock of their lives... No one expected me to make a basket, much less beat one of them, or specifically Daddy. I did. I beat them all! (Insert maniacal laughter here.) Funny too since it must have been 20 years since I attempted. "Gee, Mom, you're actually pretty good at this," my little one said to me. Gee, sweetheart, don't sound so surprised. Just because I don't doesn't mean I can't.

So this summer they hit us with a new one. They wanted to play softball. We signed them up. We got them bats, mitts, batting helmets, balls & they began to practice with their dad. Turns out, like everything else they try, they're pretty good. They only got a few practices with their teams because the early season was rained out, but we're full on into it now & their improvement is amazing to see. I'm even starting to figure out some of the positions & terminology &, um, rules.

I actually find myself wanting to learn & comprehend so I can cheer them on, give them guidance, & understand what they are doing & why. I mean, I knew the infield from the outfield. I knew the bases. I'm not a complete idiot. I can tell the pitcher from the catcher...but a shortstop? What is that? 

Their #'s are their ages
& I have to laugh at the Emergency 9-1-1

I have to believe I'll catch on eventually. As much as they appear to love it (as well as possessing the skill to do well) I'm going to have to make sense of it sooner or later.