Bowler? Yes!

I know that there have been a lot of posts about Paige, recently, but don't worry Ashley has not been neglected.  In fact, she has been pretty busy herself.  A couple months ago, she came home and said she wanted to tryout for the high school bowling team.  She even went and talked to the coach about it! Dave and I thought it was pretty funny considering Ashley doesn't bowl and really doesn't know how to bowl.  Bowling is a winter sport, so we just smiled and figured we would see if she still felt the same way when tryouts rolled around.

Well as tryouts neared some of Ashley's friends who were going to tryout too, dropped out, but Ashley still really wanted to do it.  When I realized that she was serious about this, I figured we better help her out a little or least take her bowling so she could practice a little.

SO.....I looked up the home bowling alley for the school and saw that they have a pro shop with a pro who teaches lessons and holds a clinic once a week.  Well, I figured this is just what Ashley needed, I mean we have no knowledge of any bowling rules, techniques, etc.  I just wanted her to have a little more knowledge so she could confidently tryout.

So less than a month before tryouts, Ashley started taking some lessons.  In addition, we have been taking her a 3-4 days a week to bowl so she could practice, because the key to improving is practice.  The results are that she has improved her game by over 40 points, is working with a great coach who is one of the nicest people we know, she has her own bowling shoes, bag and a couple of days ago, she used her own money to buy herself her very own bowling ball with finger holes drilled to custom fit her hand!

This is serious business people!

Ashley during her bowling lesson

Ashley's big purchase - her new bowling ball

I do have to give a shout out to Rich, the pro who has been giving her lessons.  Honestly, he is so great and has really taken Ashley under his wing.  Every time she comes to the bowling alley, he comes out to help her.  He has given her some free lessons and a free bowling bag.  He also let her take home one of his bowling balls when she first started until we could decide what the best ball would be for her.  His daughter actually bowled for Ashley's high school last year and took 2nd in state.  He has been really good to her and given her lots of encouragement.

Anyways, the end of this post is just the beginning.   Ashley had her first team practice today for the high school team.  She'll most likely be bowling on the JV team, which is a great start for her.  It's a huge commitment she'll be bowling every day and even on some Saturdays.  It's going to be a new adventure for her and for our family.  We are proud of her for wanting to try something new.  I think it will be pretty cool to watch her games, at least I can hang out in a bowling alley rather than sit outside and freeze in bad weather!