T-Ball Summer Program Fun

Love the way Jayde captioned this!

Smiling at 3rd base

It has been such a busy few months, I never was able to brag on my little man about his summertime T-Ball Adventure. Auntie Jayde took some amazing photos, and I have to share them here.

First, I will say that my son was far more interested in swimming. He's a fish, and loves his lessons and any time he can get in the water. But let's face it, swimming isn't very picture friendly. Besides, we wanted him to experience a team sport and it was a first trial in the arena of "team". The biggest disadvantage was we live in Arizona and it was a summer league, so it was HOT HOT HOT to say the very least. Rhett did really pretty well considering he was practicing in over 100 degree heat on most days, and playing games weekly as well. We went through a lot of gatorade. Some games were as late as 7:30 start, which is late for a 3 year old. He had also never had a real experience of playing a game like t-ball, and to have actual coaches and teammates.
I think he loved the aspect of being on a team. I don't believe he truly understood the GAME itself, but he did keep trying, and by the end of the season he was hitting the ball more often than he was hitting the "T". He LOVED his uniform, and wearing his cleats especially. He wasn't thrilled about the mit, even though Daddy worked with him, it was just big on his hand.

Serious.

We would gaze out onto the field and often find him standing there dancing. Staring into space. Sitting in the dirt and playing. With his glove ON his head like a hat. Talking to his neighbor. Picking at his butt. You name it, he was doing all of that, and not really watching the game. By the end of the season, he was on the front "line" of kiddos and wanted to catch that ball. He was so frustrated when the ball (of course) did not come right at him.

When at bat, he would really concentrate and after finally hitting the ball and everyone yelling "RUN RUN!" he would run down to first base, making sure he turned towards us with a big grin on his face down the first base line, smiling a mile wide. Sometimes we even got a "Hi Mommy, Hi Daddy" out of that. Oh, it was fun, and funny and hot. All of those at the same time.

During one of his last games, Jayde brought Dani & Lily, who wore customized "Go Rhett #1" T-shirts to cheer him on, while she took these great shots. Auntie Nana came to watch him play, as did Auntie Cindy and Uncle Jim - but that just turned into Rhett barfing at a yogurt place. Don't even ask. In any event, we love love love that everyone was so excited and supportive. It means the world in a 3 year old's eyes that someone is there watching and waiting for them. Thank you for the team support!

Next up. Soccer! And more swimming. After all, we are in Arizona, so we swim here until the end of October!