Remember when we weren't going to do sports anymore? Yeah, well, I've found something that will keep them busy and wear their butts out for the summer. Track & Field, y'all. If this is a competition on smartest Mommy move ever - I win.
Even better, the track club we found has a try before you buy program. You can attend as many practices as you want. So, Max and Lucy went to 5 practices before I ever had to write a check. And for each practice, I asked the kids if they liked it and wanted to join the track club. And both kids responded with a resounding "YES! WE LOVE IT!" all five times.
Then I wrote a check, and filled out all that painful paperwork. They are official track club members and card carriers for the USTFA (United States Track and Field Association). And lo, Lucy decided she doesn't want to run track. She went on to explain that she's not fast enough.
Well, considering she runs like Phoebe from Friends (titled "The one when Phoebe runs" 1999) and although she's never seen me run, still is the exact replica of me running: talking while jogging. And just like me, she starts running, and looks around and tries to engage with other runners as if to say, "Hey there! You're running and I'm running too! Isn't this fun!? Wanna talk about your feelings!?"
I've solved my running/talking problem with listening to rap music in my own little magic land of ipodness. I run with angst, and I don't bother anyone else. I don't really think that's the solution for Lucy. Yet. What age is appropriate to make your kid a sweet playlist of rap? I don't know.
I gave Lucy the "I paid for it already. You had your chance to bail. You're in this for the rest of the season" lecture. She pouted and then got over it.
After the next practice, she gave minimal griping. But then I remembered we needed to get their uniforms. Because Max kept reminding me:
"Mom, when do we get our outfits?"
"Outfits? For what?"
"For track club. Don't we get outfits or something?"
"Oh, uniforms. They are uniforms, not outfits."
"Well, fine. When do we get our UNIFORMS?"
Good idea, Max. The uniforms will motivate Lucy. This is what's going to sell her on track. They get uniforms. I'm thinking a tank and shorts maybe. But no, even better. They get little windbreaker jackets and pants too. We went to pick up the uniforms, and they got little track bags too. Too cute!
Lucy decides to wear her jacket, because it's May in Omaha, and it's 40 degrees, after all. So, she tries it on. And I'm thinking this will be the big sell, that she'll like track and learn to focus and strive to run faster. I'm driving home from the uniform pick up, with glee and daydreaming of her winning her first race with determination in her eyes. Standing on her podium, giving me the thumbs up and saying, "Thanks Mom for encouraging me to stick to it and...."
"Hey Mom! It's got pockets! Cool I can put some of my Pet Shop toys in here!"
And exit daydream. Enter reality.
We get home and Max can't wait to try on his outfit uniform which includes a true track and field tank top style. I guess he got it on and then off quickly. And instead of seeing it for myself - in an effort to be less of a control freak -I simply asked him how it fit.
"Good. Except the shirt (the tank top) kinda shows my boobs."
Without batting an eye, "Max, you don't have boobs. You have a chest."
Bet you don't get the opportunity to explain life lessons like this in soccer. I'm just sayin.
That's how I roll.
Song of the Day: Ya Gotta Have Pep by John Lithgow
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