David Sings and Plays Guitar

David took his new rake and used it as a guitar. When I heard him singing, he was improvising a song ("I love Jesus"), but when I came into the living room with the camera and asked him to sing for me, he gave me the ABC Song.

Football ... Just Playing with David

The highlight of the day was throwing the football with David this afternoon. He has improved, of course, and has a good passing arm. He really enjoys the time we spend together and so do I. I remind myself constantly of how important it is just to play with him; the activity isn't as important as the daily commitment to spend time with the kids. There is an incredible look of love in his eyes when he "gives me five" during our football, baseball or soccer games outside. It makes the time commitment worthwhile.

The Best Part of the Day

From my Daily Record entry for yesterday: The best part of the day was playing catch with David in the front yard. We threw one of his small plastic footballs around for a while and then Sarah joined us. While David and I threw the ball, we talked about his day; I asked him several questions about what he did today in school.

Ready to Hit!

While Sarah was at Vacation Bible School this morning, Daddy and David played baseball at the park. And we played for over an hour! He really enjoys swinging at the ball and can make contact quite often. Indeed, he despises the Tee and doesn't want to play T-ball; he wants to play "real baseball." So he swings and swings and swings and makes contact.

Sometimes it's tiring for me -- today, especially -- since I don't want to "overcoach" him. I try giving a few tips and teach him more of the fundamentals (not that I know that much). Today, for example, he learned the difference between foul and fair balls. He no longer runs on foul balls, and he can discern whether a ball is in foul or in fair territory.

Dads, this is best done on a baseball field. Ask your son to point out all the bases ("Where's first base?"). Then have him imagine a line between home and first base. Then define "foul" and "fair." Put the ball in foul territory and tell him it is a foul ball. Do the same with fair territory. Do both again a couple of times. Then, and this is important, have him put the ball in foul territory and then put it in fair territory. Do this several times and then have him point to third base and repeat the lesson with the line from home to third. Afterwards, explain that he won't run when the ball is foul. Remember, instruct at his pace and don't be discouraged if he doesn't understand the first time; try again later the same week. (I like to repeat lessons with David the next day anyway, whether he comprehended it or not!)

He had a blast hitting and running around the bases. He pitched to me a few times and made me run around the bases once. Catching and fielding, however, are not appealing to him. He will try but since that is not glamorous, David doesn't have as much patience when we practice those skills. He can't scoop the ball up yet, but he certainly has a great throwing arm.

All in all, I'm proud of this three-year-old All-Star. It's clear God has given him athletic ability and talent and it is very exciting to see that ability develop!

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fatherhood | baseball | coaching