When I go on a run or bike outing I usually try to go almost all out. I have a compete-with-myself syndrome that I've never been able to control. I do this with a full awareness.
When I am out with Taylor I want to kick his butt...yeah, I know he's my son but he is fast...and consistently kicking my butt, and laughing about it. He brings out a need to be faster but its not to ultimately beat him to the finish, but to beat myself. He makes me realize I can go faster. He is a Springbok, bouncing around out front with ease.
When I am out with Amelia I see her attempting passes, and racing to the next tree or mailbox. She gets mad if she can't make the sprint up to her brother; she just tries harder. Taylor just doesn't let her win, that would annoy her. But she doesn't mind a head start and him sprinting to whatever they are racing to. She's got the same competitive streak. I let her run...you can't quell that.
She does have have an idiosyncrasy...she likes to have burials for the passed butterflies and small animals we find on the road. She says a few words then we are off. I thought at first she would be mulling over death, and be sad, but what it seems to be is her recognizing life, and it's fleeting beauty. Last week she found the "cutest little snakey ever", she could't dig a hole big enough with her fingers so she found a rock for it, then told him he could bask there forever.
I enjoy the fact that she can be so cut-throat when it comes to her own competitive nature then be so caring in a split second for something lost on the side of the road. I totally appreciate the outings with my kids, witnessing their competitiveness and caring nature.
