This girl. She is so much like me. Yet she is so much like Chris. This one is a perfect blend of us both. The best and the worst of each. Claire just wrapped another season of soccer. She has grown and changed so much from 3 years ago when we first entered the world of sports. She is aggressive, fast, and decisive. She knows strategy, she's methodical, not afraid, and loves to score, but is just as eager to pass to a teammate. The girl has some mad skills.
Her coach this season was awesome. She actually played at the AF Academy and is a trained coach, qualified to coach any level. Coach Deb actually pulled me aside and asked if Claire was playing club soccer. She noted she has natural talent and was surprised when I shared Claire's deep dark secret.
The girl has a love/hate relationship with soccer--and with pretty much anything she is good at but not perfect at. That is it. Claire is her own worst enemy. She would rather not try if something may require work. Violin, soccer, and now gymnastics. It is a battle Chris and I are trying to figure out how to win. We've tried numerous approaches with none begin more successful than another. Frustrating! The girl has so many things she is good at. She could be an awesome swimmer. She's picking up violin pretty easily considering the mediocre practice routine, and soccer is a joy to watch. She is pretty amazing.
Anyway, each game her coaches chose two players to be team Captains. The kids rotated through until the last game of the season, when the players were selected based on skill, attitude, attendance and motivation. Our girl was chosen. She has a heart of gold and is aggressive like the boys. It is such fun watching her.
Chris and I don't care if she ever chooses to play club, whether she chooses to play any sports competitively. Our only hope, wish and desire is that she doesn't defeat herself. We pray she realizes her potential and shoots for the stars. You can never accomplish something amazing if you are too scared to try.
Her coach this season was awesome. She actually played at the AF Academy and is a trained coach, qualified to coach any level. Coach Deb actually pulled me aside and asked if Claire was playing club soccer. She noted she has natural talent and was surprised when I shared Claire's deep dark secret.
The girl has a love/hate relationship with soccer--and with pretty much anything she is good at but not perfect at. That is it. Claire is her own worst enemy. She would rather not try if something may require work. Violin, soccer, and now gymnastics. It is a battle Chris and I are trying to figure out how to win. We've tried numerous approaches with none begin more successful than another. Frustrating! The girl has so many things she is good at. She could be an awesome swimmer. She's picking up violin pretty easily considering the mediocre practice routine, and soccer is a joy to watch. She is pretty amazing.
Anyway, each game her coaches chose two players to be team Captains. The kids rotated through until the last game of the season, when the players were selected based on skill, attitude, attendance and motivation. Our girl was chosen. She has a heart of gold and is aggressive like the boys. It is such fun watching her.
Chris and I don't care if she ever chooses to play club, whether she chooses to play any sports competitively. Our only hope, wish and desire is that she doesn't defeat herself. We pray she realizes her potential and shoots for the stars. You can never accomplish something amazing if you are too scared to try.
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