This is when I wonder why I bother

Me: I'm taking you & Layla to see Horton Hears a Who at The Fox Theatre this weekend - it's a fancy theatre

Mia: But I've already seen Horton Hears a Who already at a theater

Yeah but not at a fancy theatre where the ceiling changes color!

But I've seen it at a theater already! Papa took me!

I know but the ceiling looks just like the sky and goes from night to day. It's a really cool theatre.

BUT I'VE SEEN IT ALREADY IN A THEATER! I'VE SEEN IT ALREADY!

My mom: This is why her friends don't talk to her sometimes.

Watch out Amanda Beard, there's a new girl in town!

Mia had her 2nd ever swim meet today. Last week she cried because they were trying to make her swim. Imagine that. Coaches asking a member of the swim team to swim. The nerve! Mia refused to go into the deep end which is where they start each event. This week was an away meet. The lanes begin at the 5 ft. area which is still over her head. Did we forget to mention that to her? Oops. Well, we didn't lie - it wasn't the deep end! She cried again. This time it was because she didn't swim enough! Oh yeah, she got in there, took about 3 full minutes to get to the other side and miracles did not cease, she actually beat another swimmer! I thought for sure I would be the embarrassed parent, cheering my kid, alone in the pool, on while the entire audience waited to start the next event. I was happily wrong. My girl isn't the only doggy paddler who must. not. get. face. wet.And let's add some more amazement to the story; she did the entire length of that pool - 25 meters - with a smile on her face! I was near tears by the time she touched that wall. I pulled her out and pointed to the far lane and screamed, "LOOK!! YOU BEAT HER!" I'm not sure that mother will be inviting us over for a playdate anytime soon. For the rest of the evening, every 5 minutes, Mia would look at me and ask "How proud of me are you?!" I'm pretty damn sure I was the proudest parent at that pool.

Later, one of the team moms gave Mia a dollar. She said that her daughter had been given a dollar to swim her first event at that very pool about 10 years ago. It's a little more than awesome that that girl was the Flower Girl at our wedding.

Freedom!

This Saturday marked the passing of another soccer season. I've lost count of the number I've participated in either as a player, coach, or administrator. You'd think I'd get sick of the sport eventually but I remain a true fan. I think I'm done coaching. At least of Mia. It's hard enough to wrangle 12 kids ages 4-6 on a normal day. Throw in your own daughter hanging on you and complaining every two seconds and it's near impossible. But we survived and Mia says she has fun. I think next time she wants to play I'll sign her up in a different league, where I have no responsibilities at all. That sounds like heaven to me!
I really loved these kids, they were hilarious to watch. My favorite moment was when a butterfly flew down on a game and both teams just stopped and stood mezmorized by the pretty wings. The other coach and I just shook our heads and laughed.
Here are my darling Eagles in action!

Can you see the misery on Mia's face? This is what she looked like at every game and every practice. Her legs hurt, she was tired, she was thirsty, she was driving Mommy insane! But last season I decided not to sign her up because of all the above complaints and I heard everyday, "why can't I play soccer? I wanna be on Rose's team. I wanna be on Walker's team. I wanna play soccer!" Oh yeah, next season, it's someone else's turn.