The kids love to play in the basement. They both got bikes for Christmas and since they can't ride them outside yet, they spend some time downstairs riding their bikes or playing other outdoor things. The other day we were downstairs playing basketball. The rule was, you had to shoot it 3 times, then dribble it to the other side of the basement, come back and shoot again and then it was the next person's turn. So we have Nicholas first who makes all 3 of his first shots. Then he goes to dribble. He runs as fast as he can (in a confined area) holding the ball the whole time with this excited, determined look on his face. His chin sticking out, too...he has this thing were he sticks his chin out when he's concentrating real hard. (I discovered yesterday as I was shoveling the driveway, that I do the same thing- ha ha!) All I could do was laugh. Maggie and I were supposed to be "blocking" him. As he's running, holding the ball, and giggling hysterically he runs back to the basket and makes the shot. He's so proud of himself. Now it's Maggie's turn. She takes her 3 shots which go straight up in the air and back onto her head. She thinks this is HILARIOUS. She misses all 3 but we both cheer for her anyway. So here she goes dribbling. Maggie is determined to dribble this ball. Remember she is all of 3 feet tall so she doesn't have much room for a "dribble." But, she tries bouncing the ball a little bit anyway. Nicholas comes running over trying to block her as we did to him. He gets it a little more, so he's jumping around and waving his arms wildly. Maggie gets upset and says, "Nickel (that's what she calls him sometimes), stop it! I'm trying to learn!" Of course, what can you say to that? So Nicholas backed off and proceeded to "let her learn." We had so much fun running around the basement laughing at each other and trying to "block" each other. Who knows? Maybe we have future NBA and WNBA basketball stars in the making!