"Borts" Class

In our quest to keep Kaeden active and social this summer, we signed him up for a preschool sports class.  The class is basically just an intro to team sports, and more than anything gives the kids a chance to know what being on a sports team is like.  I figured it would be a good jumping off point for Kaeden because parents were required to participate.  So if Kaeden were feeling anxious, at least he'd have one of us by his side.

The first class he fought going, and cried and cried.  It was just too "gary" [scary].  In fact, he had anxiety about the class for about 3 weeks prior to it starting.  Jeff took him to the first class and came home to report that about half way in, Kaeden had changed from not wanting to participate to being only slightly reluctant to participate.  But, by the end of the class Jeff was the only parent left whose child still required him to join in.

This trend continued for the next 3 classes.

On week 5, Carter and I came to the class to watch Kaeden.  To Jeff's astonishment, he ran out to participate with the kids without begging for Jeff to come.  In fact, he completed the entire class and was proud to show us what he could do.  Massive improvement.

Like a proud mama, I was there with my camera to capture ever single moment.  I'll always be the kind of mom.

I must mention...the class is run by two kids who have to still be in junior high.  But they are adorable.  Especially this guy.  He was soooooo good with all of the kids.  Kinda warmed my heart to see youth being so endearing because generally speaking, the grandma in me is so annoyed with teenagers these days.  Yes.  I'm like 60 years old.

So the class starts with a warm-up run/chase.  Kaeden was trying so hard to catch the coach.

And then they went into some stretching.

Can I just say that Preschoolers and their huge, uninhibited personalities are hilarious.

The class then moves to four different sport stations to practice individual skills.

First there was batting.

Then some soccer dribbling.

Football toss,

And lastly, some basketball dribbling.

I was so proud of my little guy for putting his anxiety aside and just showing us his skills.

Carter was pretty proud too.

Of being able to sit on the bleachers that is.

At the end of the class the kids would always play a game together.

Today's game was Red Light Green Light.

It's kind of pointless because three of the kids would just keep running regardless of the color of "light."

In the end all the runners give the light a hug.

Needless to say, Kaeden loves this part.

Borts class [as Kaeden calls it], was a great success.  Up next is teeball.  We're hoping we'll make the transition to a new sport and new group of kids smoothly.

Wish us luck!