I had a great overnight with S6 last night. We canceled our movie plans (thank goodness, or I'd have had to sit thru Narnia yet again) and instead played Bball and then dueled with light sabres.
Our first basketball game took place today. Although I offered to keep S6 til his game (noontime), XW insisted that he be returned to her for 2 hrs. She showed up late with him to the game, and as he was on my starting line-up, this caused some minor problems. I wasn't able to sit and talk with him about the upcoming game, and I could tell that he had a rushed, nervous air about him.
It was a fun time, tho, with plenty of funny moments, like kids heading in the wrong direction, and crazy shots being taken. As a coach, I was allowed to run around with the team, and did a fair share of instructing, reassuring, soothing, and tear-wiping, as these little guys get upset easily. S6 was very polite during the game. When I told him, "S6, when the other team has the ball, I want you to steal it from them" he seemed shocked: "You mean swipe it!?" "That's right, S6. In this game, swiping is just fine." He couldn't do it tho, so we'll be running "swiping" drills next practice. Kids today - so overly polite!
After the game, XW left with S6 without my being able to say goodbye, so I called her cellphone. She answered and started to rip me for not practicing with S6 more, and began to grill me about not taking him to watch college basketball games. I started to follow her down the cheeseless tunnel, defending myself with notes of practices, and his young age, then realized what was happening, and said I had to go.
When she was in school, XW's insane mother would attack her, her teachers, and her coaches whenever XW didn't place/receive 1st or do very well. When I glanced at her twice during the game, she looked like she was being tortured, with a pinched up face and very unhappy look. Meanwhile the other parents were laughing and focused in a relaxed manner on the players. Who knew that my problem parent as a coach would be my XW? Sounds like a poorly written sitcom, doesn't it?
At first I was wishing she wouldn't come, as this kind of stuff taints the experience, but I know that S6 appreciates her presence.
Going over a friends's house for a small get-together for dinner and some guitar playing.
"That's right, S6. In this game, swiping is just fine." He couldn't do it tho, so we'll be running "swiping" drills next practice. Kids today - so overly polite! 
