You'd be hard-pressed to find a father who loves his daughters more than your intrepid columnist. But I would be less than honest if I didn't tell you I was disappointed we didn't end up with at least one boy in the family. I longed for those Friday night football games, watching my son from stands. But it wasn't meant to be.

My daughters, until recently, have been content to do stereotypically girly things like cook and play the piano.

But Pitt began playing softball this summer and she enjoyed it enough to sign up for fall ball. My oldest, Anna Kate, decided volleyball wasn't her sport, so she is playing soccer at Wendell Middle School this fall.

They both have a lot to learn about their respective sports, but I am pleased as punch to have ball games to attend and children to cheer for. And the girls seem to have fun, which is even more important than winning. And I can't believe I wrote those words.

Unfortunately, time is a rare commodity around our house and the opportunities to get out in the yard and play ball are few and far in between. That's what made last weekend a moment to write home about.

On Saturday, after we cut the grass, Anna Kate got her soccer ball out and we practiced taking shots into a wheelbarrow turned over on its side.

We were hot and tired from the yardwork, but Anna Kate put her leg into a few balls and sent them screaming into the wheelbarrow.

On Sunday, as we waited for supper, Pitt and I went into the backyard to play catch.

After she missed several balls in a row, we made a slight adjustment and she started catching nearly everything I threw her way.

We weren't outside long before we were called in to eat, but as with her sister the day before, it was a good way to spend some time together.

All that leads me to this conclusion: It's important for any parent to find joy in the things his or her children do. I'm happy my children have discovered sports. But I'd be just as happy attending a piano recital or a church youth function as long as its something the children enjoy.

Adults everywhere have marveled at the way life speeds up as we grow older. As a child, I thought the wait from one Christmas to the next seemed interminable. As an adult, it seems like I barely get one Christmas paid for before the next one arrives.

All that time in between gets filled with work and other obligations. As our children grow up, they start talking about driving and dating and all manner of things little children ought not be thinking about. Then I turn around and realize it won't be long before we'll be standing before the driver's license examiner. I'll wonder again, where the time has gone.

But I will also remember the late summer weekend I got to play ball in the backyard with my girls.

And that will make it easier to turn over a set of car keys. The dating thing, though, will still have to wait another 10 or 15 years.