Soccer Star

It's true. Ryen is a star! She had her second soccer game and things started off the same as her first... but with less boogers, thankfully. After watching her hide behind the goal and behind the field marker, I finally just scooped Madelyn up in my arms, marched up to the field and followed Ryen, cheering her on and giving her encouragement. I'm sure I looked like a total idiot, but I don't care because I felt like my girl needed me and... it worked! The second half of the game was like watching a totally different child. Ryen stopped hiding and charged right in there to kick that ball. She scored 3 goals! (One was for the other team, but I say- when you're a 3-year-old, a goal is a goal!) It helped that we shamelessly bribed her with a big ice cream cone if she scored, but I think the real switch took place once she realized she could do it. What a priceless thing it was to watch her discover that! The pride and excitement on her face was beyond words. I am so proud of her. Not because she scored three goals, but because she didn't give up. She overcame her fear and gave it her all. What a neat thing to see! (My favorite picture is the one where she is holding up three fingers and running to me to say she gets THREE ice cream cones!)