We got a lot done this weekend, which always makes me feel wealthy.
The Oregon weather was very accommodating for outside work, even in this traditionally dismal time of year. It was downright warm on Saturday, and though the skies presented an ever-impending threat of rain, it never came. I was able to get the Christmas tree stripped and dragged out to the front curb, and tag it with the large green note for the Boy Scouts who come along and take used Christmas trees off to their final destination, whatever that might be.
Later I was able to take down the last of the outdoor Christmas lights. It was a snap, too, thanks to those marvelous cup hooks I’d installed up a few weeks ago.
Michael started a new sport this last Saturday, too: Basketball. He has been so excited to play. Luckily, we had a regulation-sized Junior basketball on hand. It needed a good pumping up but it had plenty of bounce. Michael learned how to dribble, pass and shoot in the space of an hour – and he’s quite good at it. When we got home he wanted to practice more.
“Well, I have to get the car in the garage, which means I need to get it cleaned up and Christmas stuff put away…”
“Okay! You do that and I’ll help,” he said. And by help, he means that he’d pick up random objects and play with them in random ways and put them down in random places and then run off to watch SpongeBob after he gets bored.
So this gave me impetus to clean more, which I did. Got the garage almost completely cleared out on my side. Unfortunately time ran out, and other duties called.
Sunday was more of the same, with the added bonus of thoroughly cleaning the backyard and having home made pizza for dinner. Thrown in there was a walk for mom & dad and a bike ride for Michael, culminating with an impromptu playdate for Michael with his best friend J. All in all, a successful, productive weekend.
Michael starts swimming again tonight. With a regular swim schedule on weekdays and basketball on Saturday, this kid is going to have plenty of outlets for all that energy. At least, that’s our hope. He really enjoys swimming, and I am maintaining my Olympic dreams for him (Michael Phelps was said to be afraid of putting his head in the water at seven years old, so our little guy has already got a jump on him). 2020 maybe, 2024 for sure.
But maybe he’ll like basketball even more. There’s room for another Michael in the hoops world, I think. Although, he’s likely going to have a bit of a height disadvantage.
He needs these opportunities in sports to learn how to work in a team environment: how to lose or win gracefully, how to share, and how to function as a vital part of a greater whole. ADHD kids are generally challenged in the “plays well with others” area, but he’s made tremendous strides over the last few years, and we’re confident that his school environment, friendships and the extra-curricular activities of basketball and swimming this year will continue to help shape his social senses.
In any case, I’m very pleased that his competitive nature drives him to perform well in the water and on the court, and that he’s motivated to be physically active. It’ll serve him well no matter what his life’s ambitions are.
I have no doubt that 2012 will be an exciting year for us. Even if there aren’t Olympic tryouts for 7-year-olds.
Sure sounds good to have Michael into sports! I am afraid I failed at that as a parent, so good that you are making up for that. I kind of had my hands full as you might remember, not to excuse myself. Not much for sports myself, unless it is the sport of art which sounds oxymoronic, right? Keep up the good work, both of you.
Swimming and basketball are wonderful outlets for all that Michael energy! It takes time and dedication as a parent to provide those activities for your kids. You two are doing an excellent job!!!