Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Race Day

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If you happened to read my weekly Queen’s Chronicles recap you already know me and my girl ran our first race together.  I thought it would be fun to recap some sweet thoughts and share our mother/daughter outfit inspiration for race day.  
Running
This was a last minute 5K and Carly Jo actually did not even have any athletic shoes if you can believe that!  We headed out Friday night to pick up some new duds and my girl was super duper excited.  Carly’s chose a this top and this pullover from Justice and we grabbed a pair of running shorts from Academy.  I am wearing a pair of my fave Zella live in leggings.  Running shoes are a must if you are logging any amount of pavement in my opinion.  Until I went to an actual running store and had my feet evaluated I did not know the difference but boy do I now.  Initially I wore Mizuno Wave but I switched to wearing Brooks when training for my last half marathon.  Both work well for a high instep which I have.   Of course we had to had some fun socks to pull it all together!  
My girl was so excited to have her very first race number!  She insisted on filling it out and adding a little known fact about herself.  #shelovesunicorns
I was visiting with some other friends and taking pictures and she was just itching to move up closer to the starting line.   
And then we were off!  I really had no idea what to expect.  We have tried just about every sport with Carly and she just hasn’t been interested.  While all my other kids were into sports and loved PE she just doesn’t have the passion for it.  I’ve found myself talking about this way too much.  Carly is her own little person and already has the confidence in knowing what she wants.  I think I just haven’t known what to do with that.  
Love all the signs cheering us along and Carly truly inspired me with her great attitude.  She was not afraid to stop and take a little break but always pushed herself to get back at it.  Not one time did she fuss or complain.   I actually think she loved her run!  
At the finish line she was all smiles and really soaked up the sweet success of finishing her first race.  She immediately asked when we could sign up for another.  
Of course it’s always more fun when a fancy drink is waiting for you at the end!  Gatorade for the little girls and beer for the moms.  
Bonus if there are roses at the finish line!  Look at the smile on this girls face! 
And always more fun to run a race with friends.  
I finished a great book recently, Daring Greatly, and I will do a full review soon but the parenting section really had me thinking a lot about this girl and some of the mistakes I’ve made.  How can she ever be truly comfortable in her skin and figure out what she truly loves if I’m constantly pushing her to try things she has clearly shown she doesn’t love.  I cannot tell you the number of times I’ve piped in when someone asks, in front of her mind you, what she is involved in.  My response always sounds more like an excuse as to why she isn’t in sports like her siblings rather than proud boast about the things she does love doing.   I’m always so worried she might be “missing out” but the truth is I’m worried about missing out.  I’ve spent years watching her sister and brothers play sports and soaked up so much joy.  Do I not know I can soak up the same joy enjoying one of her sweet notes or art projects?  If I stop to notice I can. 
In Daring Greatly, Brene Brown makes it clear the only way to be successful and experience joy is to feel the freedom to be vulnerable.  Putting yourself out there is not easy but knowing the ones you love will always be there at the finish line cheering you on, lifting you up and helping you heal any scars along the way will allow you to be the best version of  you that you can be.  
I really am excited about the possibility of enjoying this experience with my girl over and over again but if she changes her mind and moves on to something else I will continue to allow her to be vulnerable if it means seeing that big beautiful smile on her face!  
Linking up with all my favorites here.