Schaeffer plays ball

"Hi, This is Derrick and I'm Schaeffer's coach for t-ball this summer. Just wanted to see if he could be at practice at . . ." Jason and I shook our heads while listening to this message on our answering machine a week ago. What?!? Schaeffer, our baby, has a COACH?? We laughed! It sounded so funny to us. Yes, we did sign Schaeffer up to play his first season of t-ball, and yes, we had bought him a mitt, but it still sounded so "big boy-ish" to us. Last night was our 3 year old's first ball game ever and I was so proud. Proud that he batted each time like he was supposed to do.

Proud that he ran the bases when he was coached. Proud that although he wanted to stay in the dugout and play in the ice cooler, he put on his glove and chased many balls.

Proud that he waited until the inning was over to run pet the dog. Proud that he stood up on the field instead of rolling around in the grass, like others on his team. :) It's the small steps towards growing up that are fun to watch as mom of this increasingly independent, 5th in line, 3-year-old child of mine.