Published Friday, 04 May 2012
So when we do happen to do well at something, it's a cause for celebration.
Sport isn't likely to fall into this category as my big girl giggles and talks too much to take it all as seriously as her friends do.
And Finn won't play rugby as he says he's too scared of hurting his teammates with tackles etc (although I find this hard to swallow as he famously wouldn't walk the length of himself so tearing round a rugby pitch is unlikely).
The baby thinks she is the best and fastest at everything because we tell her she is, but whether that translates to an Olympic career remains to be seen.
This week, we did have a bit of glory. The big girl was entered for a local Speech and Drama festival. It's a great showcase for their wee talents, but can be bad for the nerves of the mum/dad/gran accompanying them.
16 kids, all the same age, all saying the same poem. I can even say it now, through sheer osmosis.
Anyway, she was halfway down the list and the competition was fierce. I would be a rubbish judge as I thought they were all fantastic, in fact I think if children go to the effort of learning a piece of work and reciting it in front of a room full of strangers they should ALL be rewarded. But then I suppose that doesn't make it a competition.......
When the results were read out - in reverse order - I whispered to her that it didn't matter if she wasn't placed as she was my winner and she had done her very best. She really wasn't expecting anything so when her name was called out she did a full on "OMG - me???" Oscar-style-hands-over-mouth-surprise face.
And to the credit of every one of her classmates who had also entered, they came over and hugged and congratulated her. Despite the fact that they must have been so disappointed, they made her feel really special.
So even if we never win another thing in our house, and if first place in the 2012 S&D festival is the height of our accomplishments, we'll be happy.