I thought it would be very hard watching my kids play sports. I lived in fear of becoming one of those crazed, screaming sideline parents. I had this fear because I am incredibly competitive. Lucky for me, this competition seems to be all self-directed and doesn't seem to be exercised on my kids. Too much.

Emma is not competitive. She wants everyone to be happy and friendly. She wants to hug everyone after a game/race/etc. She wants to stop and smell the roses while everyone else is trampling them to be line leader. Then she started swim team. It is her first direct competition with another person. And she has been finishing last--not so last as to be pitiful or out of her league. She just misses it a little each time. But tonight she finally beat someone--from her own team--and she feels good. Maybe a little too good...