Flailing Appendage Syndrome

Ashley is amazingly creative. She intuitively understands color and fashion and design. (She definitely does NOT get that from me) She is artistic and loves things like sewing and crafts. She is also very smart. In the last 3 years she has missed maybe 2 questions total on the state basic skills tests. Last year she had the highest score of her entire school. Last year one of her teachers was presenting a lesson to the class and Ashley informed the teacher she had one thing wrong. The teacher argued with her and they ended up going to another teacher to settle it. Ashley was right, the teacher was wrong. Scary smart.

But.....Ashley is not coordinated. The child trips over her own feet. We lovingly deemed her to have 'Flailing Appendage Syndrome' after she nearly put out Katie's eye in a fit of glee one day. It probably doesn't help that her older sister is very athletic. Ash has always wanted to try everything Katie did but she just never found her niche there. This year she tried out for the volleyball team but didn't make it. Another big disappointment but she keeps trying. She decided to try for the basketball team (a sport Katie has never tried) She practiced hard, spent hours in the driveway shooting hoops and learning to dribble. She ran drills and passing patterns and took up jogging. That child threw her heart into it (not to mention a few flailing appendages!) and she MADE IT! She made the team! Her coach said she is very good at stealing the ball, and I can only imagine those long arms waving around and confusing the opponent long enough for her to snake out and snag the ball. They probably never knew what hit them! I'm so proud. Not because she made the team or that she is the best player, but that she never quits. She never, ever gives up. Let's just hope she doesn't put anyone's eye out.....