Passion is defined as a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something. Based on this definition it is safe to say that while Miles loves playing with all balls, he is passionate about basketball and baseball.
What pushes his affinity for basketball beyond just liking it?
Well, first of all, he plays the part by wearing a jersey or some other item of clothing he has deemed basketball clothes (i.e. warm-up pants or a shirt with a picture of a basketball on it) nearly every single day for the last six months. As soon as he is dressed he proudly exclaims, "I are a basketball player!"
Summer Version on left.
Winter version on right (notice basketball shorts are over pants)
Second, I can't think of a time when Miles willingly stopped shooting hoops without us having to drag him away from it. This applies to shooting hoops standing in the back of grandpa's truck, sitting on our shoulders shooting, or shooting on his hoop downstairs.
Third, he can't even imagine why anyone and everyone wouldn't want to play basketball.
But, really, the most obvious sign that he is a die hard basketball player is the fact that he is amazingly good at dribbling, passing, and shooting a basketball, especially considering he isn't even 3 yet.
The only thing that even comes close to matching his passion for basketball is baseball. For several months this fall we literally spent hours outside each day playing baseball. He would wake up asking to go outside and wouldn't drop it until we had played a nice long round of catch. If I wasn't available to play with him he would drag the tee and bucket of balls out in the backyard and hit balls off the tee by himself.
When Scott pulled in from work Miles would be there to greet him with bat and ball in hand ready for some batting practice. I know that I'm a mom and am amazed by anything that my kids do, but seriously this kid has some skills. One day Scott was out in the yard pitching to Miles and he was cranking them down the street when Scott overheard the neighbor a few houses down yell into his house "Mom, he's playing again!" Their whole family proceeded to gather on the porch to watch Miles hit the ball. They couldn't believe he is only 2. Let's just say it may have been Scott's proudest moment as a father. It is much too cold to play baseball outside now, so much to Miles' dismay our baseball gear is taking a break until Spring.
After well over 2 years of Miles being obsessed with balls I've been waiting for a new object of desire to come along, but I'm starting to realize that that day may not come. He just might be a ball player for life.
When Scott pulled in from work Miles would be there to greet him with bat and ball in hand ready for some batting practice. I know that I'm a mom and am amazed by anything that my kids do, but seriously this kid has some skills. One day Scott was out in the yard pitching to Miles and he was cranking them down the street when Scott overheard the neighbor a few houses down yell into his house "Mom, he's playing again!" Their whole family proceeded to gather on the porch to watch Miles hit the ball. They couldn't believe he is only 2. Let's just say it may have been Scott's proudest moment as a father. It is much too cold to play baseball outside now, so much to Miles' dismay our baseball gear is taking a break until Spring.
After well over 2 years of Miles being obsessed with balls I've been waiting for a new object of desire to come along, but I'm starting to realize that that day may not come. He just might be a ball player for life.
