Is it better to hide under the shelter or sing with an umbrella?
Last evening, we had two practices and the clouds were spitting out rain drops. Naturally wet grounds on the turf soccer field is a non-issue, especially when it began to rain during the second half the practice. After the soccer turf exit, we were scheduled for a trip to the neighboring softball section of the park which still consists of dirt and grass. Faced with the daunting do we cancel or do we play question, the softball coaches elected for the classic Let Them Get Dirty option. Just like that, we went to get dirty and wet in the seventy degree weather.
Although the events on both respected fields were exciting, the true magic of the evening occurred on the sidelines. During the soccer practice, the fun started with a full-fledge musical starring a girl and her umbrella to songs completely created on the spot. When that was completed, my youngest daughter decided to attempt to make friends who were not exactly her age and perhaps not very friendly in return. Equipped with her handy umbrella, she found some steps and enjoyed her video game. A little boy was finally willing to play her game with her and the both of them were telling absolutely silly jokes for a younger audience. During the stop at the car which marked the halfway point in the festivities, cookies were enjoyed by the young sideline entertainer while she put on her softball gear in order to prepare for the muddy battle.
During the very same stop, bigger sister switched her cleats for sneakers and prepared herself for her turn in the sideline spotlight. As softball practice started, the rain became increasingly consistent. Armed with an umbrella herself, she invited a couple of kids over and they enjoyed the mobile partial cover from the rain while eating all the snacks packed as well as drink the juice pouches which were waiting for the ride home. Once the food was no more, there would be sliding on the normally dry slides from the newly bunched trio, and playing on the playground next to the softball field. At the end of practice there was a bloody announcement from the singing sideline star when she pulled out a loose tooth. Not only did they dazzle in the rain, the tooth fairy would be coming too!
