Almost But Not Quite

Connor's basketball team made it to the championship game but lost by 6 points.  He had a great game.  Lots of people who hadn't seen him play came up to me and told me how impressed they were.  For me, that's better than winning the game.  I don't think he feels the same way as you can see in this picture!

Spring Baseball With The DLL Rays

The weather is finally warming up and we're getting in some games.  Almost no practice--but games.   Connor is having fun.   Palmer is bored to tears.  

First Base Hit

Two Ridges Basketball

Connor's first year playing in this league and it's pretty fast-paced.  Playoffs start next week.

Braves

Connor is playing on the Dulles Little League AAA Braves this spring baseball season.   AAA is a bit higher skill league than some forth graders so he's left a few friends behind.   And alot of the other AAA drafted kids his age play on travel baseball leagues, which he does not.  So, its kind of weird.  But he's doing well and we had a baseball milestone event just about an hour ago....when I watched him ride off to practice on his bike.  I remember when he was little and I'd see kids riding to baseball with their bat bags on their back.  Or wearing their football pads.   I thought they were so old.   And now he's one of them.  He was just riding to a friends to get a ride from his mom to the ballfield...but its the same net effect. My baby is growing up. 

More Devil Worship

 

 

Go Blue Devils!

Things got crazy at the end of football season in late November and I realized that I never posted anything about the most exciting sports experience so far in Connor's life....his AYFL Blue Devils won the C League championship on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. They played at Briar Woods High School and, honestly, Connor had one of his best games ever. It was really exciting.

Huge balloon arch that we built the night before.  It took 3 hours.  And then the stupid adults that were holding it dropped it too low and the FIRST kid through broke it to smithereens.  I literally was torn about whether I wanted to punch someone in the teeth or just drop to the ground and weep. 

Game Day Breakfast

The coaches made a nickname tribute to each player.

The trophy

Ouch

This is not a hematological disorder....this is tackle football.

Are You Ready For Some Football?

We're three games into the football season and I haven't posted a word yet about it.  Its been so busy with back to school, football, work, etc.  This year Connor is a Blue Devil again...#80.  He's having a great time and is playing very well.  In yesterday's game (a rematch against the Bearcats--the team we lost the championship game to last year) he had a fumble recovery and a sack.  I spend most of the games chasing Palmer around, but just happened to have the camera handy at the moment of the sack. He was pretty pumped up.   He takes it pretty seriously, which is kind of not very common for him. Check out these two shots to see what I mean.

And then there's our little mascot.  He's cute, yes.  But he won't stay in his stroller this year and spends the whole game running around so that I can't even watch.  He's a little devil, alright. 

Hey Now, You're An All Star!

Well, the baseball season is officially over today. There's so much to say about how the season went. There was plenty of drama (touchy parents), plenty of running around the field (chasing Palmer), and plenty of really great baseball. Connor's skills have really taken a step up and his focus and patience have improved immensely.

Along with his personal growth and maturation, his advancement this year is also attributable to two very important things. One, his Dad was not his coach. He helped out a TON, but he wasn't the primary authority figure on the field and Connor really needs that separation. Two, his coach was fantastic. We live in a place where many people step up and give of themselves, but Rich Abdinoor does better than that. It was clear to every boy on that team and every parent that he loved the game and he wanted those players in it all the way and to be positive and thrive on the game. The chemistry of those two men---his Dad and his Coach Rich---really made the difference for Connor. I am grateful to them both for the love and patience they showed.

Although it was disappointing that the regular season Dodgers lost in the first round of the playoffs, we were appeased by the fact that Connor made the Dulles Little League Single A National League All Star Blue team. The All Stars played a few games over the past days and today, Connor's team won. And even better than that, Connor got the game ball. He went 2 for 3 with a double, had 3 RBIs and pitched a shut-out inning.   What a great way to end the season.  Congratulations my big man!

A Pitcher Full Of Joy

Connor pitched his first EVER baseball inning tonite and it was scoreless. It was awesome to see. He looked like a real ball player out there. He was even spitting. It cracked me up. I love this kid.

Face Off

Basketball ended last weekend with a whimper.  Connor's team lost.  They had a little ceremony afterward and here are some shots of his face during the awards.

Got Game

Connor is doing really, really well at basketball. He's frustrated because his team kind of sucks, but he's grown so much as a player since last year. He really looks natural out there. He drives right into traffic and doesn't hesitate. Its very cool to see. And he has a layup now!

Rocket Man

Connor started his third season of Giant Basketball last week and had his first game today. His team is the Houston Rockets and they lost. The other team was littler and scrappier. Plus, Connor's team has a bunch of kids who have never played before and who can barely dribble. Its a short league--over in just 6 weeks, but its a small time commitment and basically just a little something to do in the dead of winter.

Connor looks as if he's going to a prize fight.  And Georghe Muresan there on the right is obviously trying to get them to pay attention to something.

Trying to steal the ball from the opponent.

Flying down the court.

In the hunt

Blocking

In the thick of it