The head of the homeschool boys’ basketball program approached me. “Is Xavier doing HPA (Homeschool Performing Arts) this year?” He asked, cautiously. I told him how disappointed Xay was to miss so many basketball games because of HPA. “No,” I told him. He pumped his arms and said, “Yes!”

It’s been a month since the last Open Gym, and Xay says he can feel the rustiness of his game. But I’ve noticed how he’s been getting himself back on a personal practice schedule, and I’ve heard good things about his game.

Tonight was his first official practice, and there are four other kids from his 7th and 8th grade teams on JV with Xay, along with another guy from his basketball club. Hopefully, they’ll have a strong team.

I think it’s ironic that Xay, who is so intense about basketball, tends to get on bad teams, while Yanni, who plays more for the the challenge than the love of the sport, lands on good teams.

She starts official practice tomorrow.

I feel like I’m at the top of a rollercoaster, looking down over the park right before a 75 degree drop.

Still holding my breath. . .