Kind words...

Sometimes I am just surprised by things people say. Typically I am surprised by the ignorant things people say....but today it's the kind things.

I have been planning on signing Ella up for t-ball with the girls softball league here. It's not a league that's just for kids with special needs (we have one but the kids have to be 5) it's just a league. My thinking behind this was that quite frankly all 4 year olds suck at t-ball. Okay maybe suck is a strong word, I just mean that none of them seem to have the attention span to stand in the field, none of them can really throw the ball where they aim, a lot of them run the wrong way to the bases etc. So, I figure, Ella can join in with relatively no problems! I went out and bought Ella a little glittery pink and purple glove and a pink bat in anticipation.

I go to fill out the registration online the other day and it says for girls 5-6. Ella doesn't turn 5 until August 30th, after the June/July season. I was seriously bummed.

When I was a young girl softball was my life, I even made Allstars in T-ball : ) But really, I lived for softball. I got to play on the Varsity team in high school as a Freshman but blew out my knee before the sophomore season. It took 5 surgeries to fix my knee, the last one being the week after I graduated high school, so needless to say that ended my softball career. I did attempt to play softball 2 summers ago only to figure out that I was no where near as good as I once had been and my body was also no where near what it had been and I broke my leg playing : ) Anyhow, when I had the ultrasound with Ella that ruled out Down syndrome (yes that's right RULED OUT Down syndrome, ha!) they informed me that my baby was a girl. Among the many many dreams I had for my daughter one was that she would become a softball star!

When I found out that Ella had Down syndrome after she was born softball just seemed to be another door that closed. Fastforward 4 1/2 years and I realize that she will not be the star of the team (not in the best player sense, but she will be a star all of her own I am sure,) but I think that she will really enjoy playing, and I know that I will REALLY enjoy watching her play!

So, back to registration. 5 and 6 years old. Dang! I decided to send the league a quick email just saying that my daughter will not be 5 until the end of the summer, any chance you will let her play? They write back "We would love to have her play." Awesome!!! But then I get worried, they gave me special permission for my 4 year old to play and I failed to mention that she is really really small, a little weaker, doesn't talk as well, and will need some assistance staying on task. So I write back "So, I suppose I should have put this in there too...my daughter has Down syndrome. I will be at every practice and game to assist. Still okay?" I'm not sure what I was expecting to get in response...either an email saying "as long as you are there with her", or maybe even "given the circumstances maybe she should wait until next year." But instead I get this email today.

" Fantastic. I am sure she will have much to teach all who come to know her. We look forward to a fun season with her."

Seriously??? Totally made me cry. I can't wait for my baby to play t-ball and I am extra excited to play on a league who has this great attitude!!!!

This Wednesday Ella will begin TOPSoccer. She will playing with a couple of her buddies, including her boyfriend Riley : ) I was just looking for a recent pic of these two but I found these cute ones from 2 summers ago. These two are SO cute together and truly are good friends!!