It sucks to be the runner up...

I just got a phone call from a very sad little boy. David was the alternate for his schools spelling bee. He has been just beating himself up for misspelling the word "audible" during the qualifications and missing out on one of the two coveted positions on the spelling bee. But, for the last two weeks we've been studying the spelling list hard in the event one of the two spellers came down with some unnamed contagion and were not able to fulfill their role. David had started giving me reports on a daily basis, of the two spellers; "she looks kind of pale," "I think he got sick at lunch," "she missed a day of school, maybe she'll be out another week,"...

But, the call confirmed his worse fears; the spellers are healthy and he's still the alternate. His participation in the bee will be relegated to cheering. He sounded so bummed out and I feel horrible for him.

It is tough when you don't do as well as you had hoped.

Love you, David, and I'm so proud of you!

Follow up:

We just returned form the Spelling Bee and it was really cool I'm very glad I went! The kids all did a great job, they should be proud! The alternates all got certificates and a round of applause, so David still got to have his moment in the spot light- it was nice! BUT, a word of advice for anyone considering attending a spelling bee in the future; if you take your 4-year old daughter, and you've taken a movie for her to watch, don't take a Barbie movie that has any sort of physical contact between Barbie and the Prince....Kathryn (with earplugs on) yells, "Ew gross! They are kissing!" Of course it was mortifying and everyone in the entire (extremely quiet) gym turned to look at us.