Sunday, April 29, 2012

Ava, third from left

Ava had her first netball game on Friday night. I'd never heard of netball before we moved to Australia, but it's very popular here. Pretty much every girl plays netball in the course of her girlhood. This year, we wanted her to give team sports a go, so netball it is!

The courts are in a park that's set back in the bush. I mean, you turn off the main road and drive through this darkened neighborhood, and just when you're thinking a haunted house must be around here somewhere...you see the turnoff for the park.
And come to find out, everyone was there. If you've been wondering where all the people have gotten to on Friday nights? Apparently they're at netball. Because, back in the wilderness, there were hundreds of cars parked and kids running to play tennis and netball and lacrosse. And parents and reluctant siblings and coaches.

There are about 15 courts, and because they're just sorta plopped into the forest, everyone stands around court side to watch their team, or sits on big rocks off to the side.

Ava had a blast. It helped that her team won! It was fun watching her get the hang of the game. Each player has a player on the opposing team that they're supposed to cover, or mark. (Sorry, I'm still figuring this out.) Anyway, the other team had identical triplets. So half of the team looked the same! Clearly a tactical advantage! "It was a bit confusing," Ava told me later.

This will be our Friday night for the next several months. It was fun! Jason has been waiting for our kids to play sports since before we even had kids. He stood on the sidelines, shouting little "tips" to Ava. Keep in mind, this is the first netball game either of us have ever watched.

I sidled up next to him. "Babe? Let's observe the culture. Do you see other parents coaching their kids, over the voice of their actual coach?" He grinned. "I know, I know. I'm just excited. I'm American--it's what we do." "I know you are!" I said, "But let's tamp it down a bit, so people will still like us."

With everything we've had going on over the last few months, it was really nice just to be there and feel normal. Which we are, of course. But you know what I mean, right? It was chilly out there, and I thought to myself...how grateful I am that I get to keep my hair. A windy winter night out there with no hair wouldn't be so nice.

The things you think of sometimes.

Then, the game was over, and won, and it was time for ice cream! Jason's parents are here, and we all trooped back to the car. And in one of those rubber-meets-the-road parenting moments, we had to remind Grace that she couldn't have any, because she refused to eat even three (3!) bites of dinner. (Mom, we gave her 50 million chances, I swear. Don't hate--appreciate!)

So she had a level 2 meltdown (tough, but it's no level 3) and Jason dropped her and me at home to go to bed while they went on. After all, who wants to watch others eat I've cream when you don't get any?

Are we so mean? Don't worry...I confess to you now that I gave her a lollipop before 8am the other day.

Um, I'm American? It's what we do? I really have no idea. The things we do sometimes.

13 comments:

  1. Ava's game sounds like so much fun! I can totally see Jason coaching from the sidelines. Did the Ausssie dads really not do that? Yeah, we are Americans, I guess. But still. It's really in the little things that you realize you're not in Kansas anymore, huh? I love the image of there being triplets that Ava had to figure out. Great! Now, I'm not gonna rag on you about Gracie and the ice cream. Much. Cause you know I would have sneaked her some if I could. The other day when Ava was struggling to eat her celery with peanut butter I kept waiting and watching for the moment when parents were not looking when I could eat it for her. But you guys never left the room. True confessions time. Yes, I'm that grandmother that would do that. I'll be right over here in the northern hemisphere if you need me. Lovely post!

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    1. Omg Mom, that is the funniest thing I've ever heard! I'll have to tell Ava...she'll appreciate the intention. Where did all this flexibility and willingness to bend the rules come from?? Hmmm, must be a newer development. :)

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  2. Sounds like a fun game! And, I think I know what you mean about feeling normal -- like, even though there are worries somewhere in the back of your mind, most of you is just too focused on the moment of being chilly and happy to remember the other stuff. Hope you get more and more of those moments!

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  3. I want pictures of all the courts carved out of the primeval forest. Cool!

    What do I love more than the fact that Jason felt secure in coaching Ava in a game he has never seen played? And what is less surprising than that? Answer: nothing and nothing.

    Go Ava! Net that ball!

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  4. oh no! I was supposed to get details from you as Ava wanted Rebekah to come watch and I totally forgot! then again, I'm not sure if it was a 'family' thing and we might have been gate crashing:) well, I can imagine Ron (an Aussie dad) doing the same though he'd know a bit more about netball than Jason probably. So don't feel bad, they were probably a very quiet bunch of parents or maybe they didn't know much about netball:)

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    1. Ava mentioned about Rebekah coming...about half an hour before the game started! ;) No worries, there are many more to come! :)

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    2. oh did she! :( Sorry Ava!
      yes, we'll bring Rebekah one day, maybe when it's not so cold:)

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  5. Yes I want more pictures of the playing fields too! I can totally picture it, you described it soooo well! And yes were mean parents like too; no dinner, no ice cream but a lollipop at 8am? Uuhhhh ya! :)

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  6. Amy, with age comes a greater appreciation of what's truly important in life and what things one can ignore, give in, or cheat a bit. Most especially when it comes to a grandchild! As a general rule, ice cream is always a good idea and celery may not be. Thus endeth today's lesson.

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  7. Jo, Blogger ate your comment! Boo. :( But I wanted to say...I think you're right that it's more of a mother-daughter thing, at least all the coaches are moms with kids who are playing. But there were a lot of dads there too, watching--maybe that was because it was the first game? I guess we'll see :)

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  8. Oh, wow. That's so cool! I played netball when I was in primary school too. I hope Ava (and you guys) enjoy it. I remember my Dad standing out in all kind of cold Canberra weather watching my games. :) I love that Jason is coaching from the sidelines! Go Ava!

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  9. Do you ever watch Kath & Kim? (Old reruns were on the US network Logo. You could probably find them on Netflix.) The sporty friend who always has injuries is on a netball team.

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    1. LOVE Kath and Kim! Their new movie is coming out soon, I just saw the trailer. :)

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