Ryan is on the swim team this summer and until tonight it has been a bit of a challenge. See, if you don't know Ryan that well if he doesn't feel super confident and like he is the best at something, his initial response is to resist. He would rather not do it at all instead if going in with the attitude of trying his hardest, learning to better himself for the next time and having fun. So it has been a daily challenge of reassurance, trying to figure out if he really does like it and just lacks the confidence and so on.
His first swim meet last week was interesting as we had to be there by 7:20AM and it poured rain the ENTIRE meet and the poor swimmers were freezing and the parents all looked like wet rats. So obviously this didn't help my grand plan of trying to lift his spirits by letting him see that the meets are the best part as you get to hang out with friends, cheer on your teammates, compete and most importantly have fun! Thankfully, despite the cold, the rain and his attitude it all went well. He placed 2nd in his heat for free style improving 6 seconds which is outstanding, 4th for back stroke (even though he almost stopped 3/4 of the way through) and their relay placed 4th or 5th in their heat!
The 2nd swim meet tonight was so much fun! Ryan was a little fish in the water and improved his time in freestyle by another 3 seconds. The boy is on a roll and enjoying it so much more and I was one proud mommy when he won his heat for backstroke (as you can hear in the video below, he is in the lane closest to the camera wearing the orange cap), which was the one stroke he didn't want to do.
Possibly following in my footsteps? I saw his confidence boost in front of my teary eyes and we both had smiles on our faces that wouldn't go away. Now, I know winning is not everything and he didn't win the entire event, just his heat, but for Ryan he needed that reassurance and recognition just one time to prove to himself that he was good enough. Anything he does and tries his hardest at is good enough for me, no matter what the end result is. I guess the lesson I am trying to teach him is not to quit before you have given it your best effort. There is no such thing as perfection and you can't win them all, but you can be proud in knowing that you went out there and tried your hardest.
We also just finished the baseball season and his team made it to the playoffs. They placed 2nd and the team grew so much this season and we are all so proud of Ryan and the the boys!
Of course I have to add a little tidbit about little Kels Kels. She is a tumbling fool at gymnastics and actually agreed to wear a leotard to class. (Shhh...I secretly won a battle)
Busy busy...I am ready for a long vacation, or a spa day, or maybe a hair cut since it has been a year. Yes, one year. Oh the joys of being a mommy, but as much as I am tired and may moan and groan, I wouldn't have it any other way!!
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