The posing is much better.  Look up the term 'contrapasso'.  It is essentially what you did to improve their posing.  Flat shoulders and hips isn't how people naturally stand.

The bouncing ball is defintely a solid start.  Personally, the first steps I took were just drawing out what I think the movement might look like.  This was before I learned about the 12 principles of animation.  Just sketch it out with stick figures, you can even use a flip book to help gauge.  Your first animation is not going to be the best animation you ever create, so just get it out of the way!

Looking very good man.  I'm not sure there's much to critique.  I am not crazy about the flesh tones appearing in the clothing but that might just be me.  Keep it up.

Another update.  I have reversed the direction of the right tree so the light is the same as the other.  I also added another color into the ground add tried to add more texture.  I still feel like something isn't working here.  It looks very messy and I can't really read what type of ground it is.  (Going for a Mars look.)  I also updated the coloring for the back ground.  I do like the planets that were added but I am going to leave them out until the end.  I still plan on making more trees and so there will be less space for the sky.

Also @MysteryMeat  I appreciate your ideas and dig the creativity but unfortunately for this project, this planet isn't inhabited by intelligent life.  But I will definitely keep the idea in mind in case I decide to utilize shelter for the player, or something along those lines.r.