bubbling over

When you have a child that's subdued in his emotions and keeps his feelings close, it's sometimes more special when you can spot the spark of excitement that's been lit up inside him.  It comes across as a shy smile, excited chatter or a burst of energy.  You can't wait for him to tell you all about it and see that smile grow across his face.  Today, well several days this week, has been like that for me.

At the beginning of the week, Nathaniel had the idea that he wanted his class to play hockey in the gym.  Initially he wanted to be the coach, but I encouraged him to consider playing with his friends.  I was a bit skeptical that it would happen, but I encouraged him to talk to his teacher.  It was at the end of the day that his teacher told me how Nathaniel had shared this idea and was then put to work to make it happen.  He made up a chart to poll all his classmates, asking if they wanted to play hockey.  A number of teachers were called in hopes there was some space in the gym for the class to play their game of hockey.  And it happened.  Nathaniel scored 5 goals with the final score being 5-1.

Today he went to school wearing a t-shirt.  He was hoping for another hockey game and didn't want to get too hot.  At the end of the day I received a call from his gym teacher.  She said that Nathaniel's class had played again in the gym and that he had been invited to play in the school's floor hockey league.  The teams play 1-2 times a week, during recess time.  I'm sure you can imagine his excitement.  Here's where you can imagine my boy's excitement overflowing - he was playing with a team of all grade 4 kids.  His teacher wanted to call to make sure I was okay that he was the only kindergarten kid playing with the grade 4 to 6 kids.  One of the players had recently moved so they had an empty spot on a team.  Nathaniel was up for it, totally holding his own during the game.

So, I was waiting for the smile when he walked out of school today.  That glimmer in his eye when our eyes met.  And I got it.  He came over talking about his team - the Ice Breakers.  He was planning when he could surprise Daddy with the news and how he needed to practice when we got home.  It was amazing to sense how special he felt and know he was so proud to share his excitement.  These are the sparks that make it for me as his mom.  They don't happen every day.  So, when they do, they are so much more special.