My Guy...

This summer was going to be the start of Clara's twirling career.  There was a problem though.  Clara went to camp, and did not like it.  At all.  In all honesty, this didn't really surprise me too much.  Clara is NOT a show girl.  She is often heard complaining that she doesn't want people to "look at her", and essentially twirling is a sport where the whole point is, well, people looking at you!  

So when I picked her up on Monday, she told me she did not want to do it anymore.  That's when Matthew pipped up.  "Can I have her spot at camp?  I'll twirl!"  One look at his hopeful little face was all it took for me to say okay, even before consulting with his dad.  

So Tuesday morning arrived, and Matthew was up with the birds dressed in his "Work Zone" gear, and ready to go.  He had spent a considerable amount of time scrubbing Clara's name off of the baton, and had written his own name on it.  His teeth were brushed, his shoes were on.  This boy was ready to go!  So I dropped him off to the welcoming coaches,  and said a little prayer as I left.

I picked him up at noon.  My son was BEAMING!  The kind of grin a child has when they get a new puppy, or a trampoline, or a new bike.  His little head was drenched in sweat, and he couldn't wait to tell me all he had learned that morning.  The older girls came over and told me he was "Freaky good", and "So cute", I didn't know it was possible for his grin to get any wider, but it did.

We came home, and he practiced his baton all afternoon.  When Brian got home, and Matthew proceeded to show him all the tricks he had learned, I was prepared to go to bat for him, and argue his cause.  I was ready to explain that Matthew should be allowed to do things that he loved.  I was shocked when Brian said, "Sheesh, you sure do love twirling that thing, don't you?"  Matthew nodded.  Brian asked, "Are you the only boy?"  Again, a nod with a smirk from Matthew, who then explained to Brian that he IS the only boy who gets to hang out with all those girls, and some of them, (he blushed) are BEAUTY QUEENS!   

So begins the twirling career of my six year old son, who also enjoys baseball and wrestling.  Yesterday,  a former Saline Twirler came to meet up with him and give him some tips.  Nathan is the feature twirler at U of M.  Matthew has a new idol I think.  :)

I've been pleasantly surprised by the support I have gotten from my friends.  I told Matthew that he some people are going to tell him that twirling is just for girls.  His reply?  "Well then they are stupid.  Twirling is really fun."

God is good.  All the time.

Busy Busy Busy

I have a plaque that hangs on my wall that reads "Little League is the the Reason Mom is on the Run".  Add twirling, pageants, dance recitals, and end of the year school events and you will soon see why I have not posted in awhile!

We have had a great last couple of months.  ALL of the kids are playing baseball.  Clara and Ruby play tee ball, although to be honest it's more like Clara plays tee ball, and Ruby flirts with the boys on her team and schedules play dates.  (Tee ball is NOT a passion for Ruby!)  

See what I mean?Of course the boys are playing too, Matthew is in coach pitch this year.  He is on a team with his best buddies.  They have so much fun together, and I am grateful that he has such and awesome group of kids to be friends with.  If I squint my eyes and use my imagination I can see these same guys hanging out together ten years down the road. Ricky originally didn't WANT to play baseball, because he thought he wouldn't be good enough.  I told him to give it a try, since he had always LOVED baseball.  Look at my boy now!

Ricky is pitching for his team and loving it.  It has been great watching his confidence grow with each game.  He now dreams of being a pro baseball player.  A far cry from, "I won't be good enough!"

This is Noah's last year playing in the Major division, and it is bittersweet.  I am so proud of him for all of his hard work.  He comes to every game ready to play, with a great attitude, and gives it his all at EVERY game.   His skills have improved every year, but he has never made it to "All Star" status, and each year he gets his hopes up only to be disappointed.  Last year his coach had said if he were coaching he would have Noah on his all star team because he is such a coachable kid, and he likes having him around.  Sadly HE was not the one in charge of picking the players.  Noah was so disappointed as most of his team IS on the all star team.  he still goes in with a smile each game though, and gives it his all.  

Sometimes I wish I could BRIBE someone to put him on the team, just to let him be a part of it. He would be so excited.  In my heart he will always be an A team all star.  I am SO proud of my boy for so many different reasons.  

God is good.  All the time.