Well the boys wanted to ride their bikes to the game. Sounds great - except I don't have a bike, so I lowered the seat on Mike's so I could at least touch the ground. I'm sure I was comical riding it, it's just too tall. I haven't ridden a bike since I was probably 12 either. I asked for a bike for my birthday though, we have a seat for Addy - she's asked every day since Mike took her out the first time. We go to get in the van, and she goes to the bike and pats it saying "bike" (well it doesn't quite sound that clear but we know what she means. It was a bit difficult riding with her right behind me and the backpack on. We stopped at a friend's to drop something off and Addy stayed to play with her little girl. It was a win-win it seemed, Addy helped occupy her little one while they played and she got a few things done - I got to focus on pictures and the game.
Well I was half expecting riding bikes to be a nightmare. Especially on the way home. I was proven wrong. I envisioned after playing hard during a game in a heat-filled evening to hear lots of whining on the way home. I heard none. The boys did great. I'm proud of them both for that, because it's hard not to whine when you're
Noah also played hard throughout the game. He didn't give up, he had a smile on his face and just kept getting up each time he fell or got knocked down. I heard him say a couple times, "I never give up." Another thing I noticed during the game, he seemed to be bantering with a kid on the other team. At one point, the other kid seemed to kind of nudge Noah on the shoulder as he was saying something. I couldn't hear what was being said. I reminded Noah once to speak kindly and use nice words. I imagined he was "talking smack." He's a competitive kid, I don't mind that one bit. But Mike & I want to make sure that he understand it's very important to be a good sport, loving God and being a good example doesn't take a break just because you're on the field/court. Not that I think it will get serious at age 5 - but still good sportsmanship is important to start early. So after the game, Noah was enjoying his snack and getting his shoes back on. I asked him if was talking smack to the kid, he just said no. He didn't elaborate, didn't say much more. Okay - hmm, still not sure if he was or not. Quickly though, his coach said no it was the other team and that Noah was saying you need to speak nice word and act nice our parents are watching. It was a proud mommy moment for sure - to see him having fun and not whining or even getting upset about it but still standing up for his beliefs/values. I feel like it is the first time that I've gotten to witness his character shining through in such an out-spoken, obvious way that wasn't with family, or at church. Good job Noah, Mommy & Daddy are very proud of you - and I'm confident that God was smiling as you gently reminded an opponent to speak kind words.
