Tennis

When my darling daughter was just over the age of three, she announced "I wanna do tennis ball lessons". Since no one in the family played tennis, I thought the child had lost her mind. Where had she even seen tennis players or tennis balls for that matter? Luckily, my mother took her seriously and found peewee lessons at the Country Club. Since this was between Ash and my mom, she even paid for the lessons for the first several years. Next thing I know, peewee drills turned into semi-private lessons and then private lessons. Next was Team Tennis. Then tournaments at our Club. Then tournaments at other tennis centers locally. Eventually, it worked it's way to where we are at today: weekly private lessons, drills most nights of the week, tournaments all over the state, Team Tennis on Sundays in the Fall and Spring and now Middle School tennis in the Fall and Spring.

About 4 years ago, my DH decided he might like to take up tennis himself. He started going to Thursday night mens drills at the Club. He loved it, we bought him the 'gear' and now he plays in leagues on Saturdays. He and Ash play in Parent/Child tournaments at the Club. They seem to really enjoy it.

Then there is my baby boy. He was raised at the tennis center. All the kids and coaches were around when I was pregnant and were there when he spent hours in the stroller at each match and tournament. It was only natural that he take up tennis himself. About a year ago we started taking him to drills and now he also loves tennis. Ash even helps out at the peewee drills he attends and he loves having her there. He's actually very good and if we took him on a more regular basis - he might be even better.

So where am I in all this tennis madness in my household? Firmly planted on the sidelines where I belong....that is until last night. Yep, after 9 years of watching tennis - last night I actually went to my very own beginners drill. When I say beginner - I mean beginner. Yes, I can keep score and I totally understand the rules of the sport but besides being silly on the courts as a kid - I've never actually played. I've never had a lesson. It was harder than I thought. So many things to remember....watch the ball, point at the ball w/ your left hand when hitting w/ your right, kept your wrist firm and your racquet squared, plant and step into your swing, keep moving.....it just goes on and on. But you know what???? I did it. It wasn't pretty and I'm glad there is no video to prove it but for one hour I had an absolute blast hitting with Ash's coach and one other tennis mom. The other mom used to play varsity tennis in HS so it's not really fair to her to have to do drills with me but we are friends and she didn't laugh at me so I think we will be back next Tuesday to do it again. One advantage I found was that I keep moving between shots and that is the cheerleader in me (thought I'd buried that B*&^% a long time ago but there she was bouncing her little heart out between shots)! I am also amazed that I am not sore. I have been completely sedentary for almost 6 years and just knew that every single tiny muscle in my body would be revolting today but that is not the case.

You wanna know the weirdest part....I broke out in a sweat and actually liked it. :-)