27 May 2010

Not Like Her Mama


My daughter is her very own person with a mind of her own. She may take after her mama in some ways (she loves art, she loves words, she has blue eyes) but in other ways? Not like me at all.

She is loud, strong, confident, outgoing, bold and energetic.


Already the height of a seven-year-old, she is tall, athletic and powerfully built with long strong legs. Her upper body strength leaves her brother in the dust - she spends hours swinging on the monkey bars and climbing trees. Oh she loves pink-and-pretty, you couldn't call her a tomboy, but she is sporty (something you could never acuse me of).

Yesterday, the evidence: Junior School Cross Country.

It's been raining, and Miss Fab is desperate for it to not be cancelled (her mama would have been desperate for the opposite).

Mama it's my first cross country! You have to come and watch me... you have to!! she pleads.

Deja vu. This happened two weeks ago - we went, it rained, it was called off. No matter. Of course I'll go... how could I not?

At school there's good news - it may be showery but the Cross Country is on. Miss Fab hugs me and jumps up and down in delight.


The mothers all huddle under the verandah overlooking the sports field. I set Scrag up with a box of snacks and chat to friends and neighbours, all of us braving the weather to cheer on our little ones.

Miss Fab is in the five-and-a-half year old girls race. She lines up and I go down to the field to get a better view. And they're off. Where is she? I can't spot her in the crowd...


Ah there... they're around the first corner and she's at the back of the front pack. The girl out front is leading by a mile.

They disappear from view and when they reappear... my girl is in fourth! I snap pictures while screaming out her name.... Go!!!!!!


Then they're out of sight again while we wait nervously...


At last they re-appear... and there!!! There is my girl! In second place! Another girl is hard on her heels... Go Abby! Go Abby! I scream. Oh, I can hardly breathe!


My little star puts on a burst of speed. Over the line first is the girl who has led all the way. Three seconds behind her is my daughter. She turns to see me as she crosses the finish line... second place!


Oh I am a proud non-sporty mama with a strapping gorgeous sporty daughter.


All of a sudden I am thinking: SUMMER ATHLETICS CLUB. It was torture for me as a child, and I vowed never to inflict it on my kids - but I have a feeling my girl would love it.


FOLLOW ME ON Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Bloglovin //

20 comments:

meg said...

Well done Abby! Was great to see her do so well.

Anonymous said...

Oh wow!! Ka pai Miss Fab! I'm impressed. My son's always the one walking at the back... my daughter, mind you, is a lot more like yours!

Answered you on my blog but we're not far out of Tauranga, down in the BOP.

Anonymous said...

*smile*
that is so fun!!
maybe one day you will be doing a mother daughter run!!!
Could happen!!!

Chavah said...

lol I can totally relate to this. My daughter is exactly the same! I know the shock. Yay for Miss Fab. :D

Weza said...

She looks very athletic. What a proud moment. How fun that you captured it for her. Well done Miss Fab!

Gail said...

Awesome!!

Sophie said...

How lovely! Well done Abby!!

PaisleyJade said...

Well done Abby!!!

I remember athletics club - don't do it Simone!!! ;)

alicia said...

What a proud moment for both of you. It's so wonderful to watch their undiscovered talents for the first time. Congrats Abby!!

Anonymous said...

It's so nice that your daughter seems to be so athletic...Sport is important. That's where my parents did something wrong I think.

Brigitte said...

Awww shoot, I've got tears in my eyes! I have yet to experience this of cheering on your child in a race or competition (at the moment it's just loads cheers for poos in the toilet & not in the undies... not quite as exciting as a running race!)
You must feel so proud and it was obviously really important for Miss Fab to have you there cheering for her as she crosses the finish line. Awesome. Sounds like there will be many more opportunities to cheer this speedster on! Go girl!! X

Penny said...

Yeah go Miss Fab!!!! That is so great, would love to watch her next time she runs. I was a runner at school myself so brings back lots of memories.

Karen, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry" said...

You are a good mama to go cheer for your girl in spite of your dislike for sports. Kudos to you and congrats to Abby on her second place finish!

Unknown said...

very cool!

Unknown said...

Way to go Abby!!!

Ms. Understood said...

Congrats Abby and to you too proud momma. I love the combination of girly and sporty.

Stopping by from SITS.

KNB said...

What a fabulous day at the races! And what a good mom you are. Isn't it wonderful how our little creatures already are so much themselves and not us?

Cheers

A Life Less Complicated said...

Go Abby! I love the way you wrote the post - I was getting all nervy and excited. I think the closest I came to winning Cross Country was 4th place - and I was pretty happy with that.

Mr. G (abbys dad) said...

Go girl, wish I was there, will be next time, am so proud, she'd make a great silver fern knocking those skippy kangaroos out the way!!!

Anonymous said...

GO-GO-GO-GIRL!
you must be so proud.
And you give me hope that my children can be all that i struggle to be (if they want to of course!)

http://marketingtomilk.wordpress.com/2010/05/28/can-i-give-my-kids-self-esteem/

Post a Comment