Nothin' But Net

Basketball has been the game of choice for the last few weeks, with Bud roaming from neighbor to neighbor to play with others' balls and baskets.  Neighbor Boy insists, "My house, my rules," which annoys Sis, who then won't play.  Bud has talked basketball with Pop, who played in high school and even went to the Dr. Pepper tournament, and with Mama, who played on a team that came in second in her league; even their current babysitter M is on her school team and will play ball on scholarship in college.  We all watched some NCAA on tv during lunch out.

On Sunday, after church, haircuts, and lunch, Bud wanted to play basketball.  Mama and I looked at each other and she made a turn to the stores.  We had been planning on buying a hoop anyway so Bud could play with Pop over spring break, and it was a gorgeous day.  So yesterday found us buying youth-sized balls (standard brown, purple, and primary!) and a stand-alone hoop for younger people (net from 5.5-7.5').

Mama erected the stand and backboard while Sis colored in chalk and rode her bike and Bud practiced dribbling.  Finally, we could  play (It.  Takes.  So.  Long.)  Mama and Bud took turns shooting and then Bud and I "played."  We were the Penguins against the Snakes and I kept up a running commentary on our games, as best as I could (it's been a long time since I've watched basketball).  "Swoosh," driving to the basket, rebound, lay ups, three-pointers, "nothin' but net."  He thought it was great.  They even went outside early to play before the bus arrived (and the bus arrived just before Neighbor Boy headed over to play.  Sigh).  

I like it because with the basket at about 6.5', I can slam dunk!