Sports

We've officially made the switch from gymnastics to pursuits more fitting a leggy competitor like Ella. She smiled through basketball camp last spring, reveling in her 'only girl' status and now she has embraced volleyball, despite their losing streak. With Big CJ assisting the coach and little CJ retrieving balls, it has become a family affair.

Activities involving a ball and a tangible score are so much more engaging for me than the performance variety, and truthfully I'm not the sort of mother that can sustain extracurricular activities that don't provide enjoyment for the family players too. Like every loving parent, I hope that my children find something that steals their hearts and brings them joy and success and a feeling of purpose -- and if all goes well it will be something that I like too.

joneses take to the gym