This winter has been, well, wintry. But so wintry that we've had very few opportunities to get outside and enjoy it. Six more inches of snow tonight with temps in the single digits and wicked whipping winds. That does not a winter wonderland make. The driving hasn't been so darn good either. And for some reason, Tuesdays have been the worst.

Tuesdays are also the days you're signed up for Junior Hoopsters. So I end up white-knuckling it to daycare, then the gym, with you and your adorable commentary from the backseat.

The basketball. It makes me giggle. It's a class for kids 3-6, so the attention spans are all over the place. You and your buddy Caden are demonstrating, as the two youngest, that you have the two shortest spans. It's a hoot to watch you. You're obviously getting a kick out of the chance to run around the gym with those junior basketballs.

When the coach blows the whistle, you turn to listen and you watch him fairly intently. But he loses you after a minute or two. And he definitely loses you when he turns his attentions to the individual kids to give them their instructions. When he gets to you, though, and talks to you directly, you watch carefully and give it the old preschooler try.

And then your turn is done and you're off goofing around again. Running. Lying down on the gym floor. Losing your ball and chasing it across the gym without looking where you're going. Carrying the ball under your arm and looking like a mini b-ball player. Giggling with Caden. It's just too adorable.

The dribbling? My favorite. Because you, um, can't do it. When the coach gets everyone started, you kind of stand there and look amazed. Then you give it a little try and the ball bounces once and rolls away while you look after it with surprise. Then there's the exercise where he has you guys (all five of ya!) run around the gym then come back and grab your ball to dribble it to the net and take a shot.

You literally take the ball and throw it in front of you and then chase it. That's your version of the dribble. Too cute. You've gotten some hoops into the mini basket, though. You haven't quite got the height on your shots for the junior hoop yet, but you do try.

You're liking it. The class is only five weeks, but it's a start on exploring some sports. Hey, you're eligible for tennis once you turn four!

Posted on February 19, 2008 09:01 PM