Elliott's First Spelling Bee

Elliott had his first spelling bee tonight!  He was so nervous, but as soon as we arrived he was bombarded with hugs from his buddies at school and immediately felt at ease.

When the judges called his name, he walked up to the front of the auditorium and looked about as white as a sheet.  I thought he might cry.

They gave him his word.  "The word is 'doody,'" the woman said.

"Doody" Elliott repeated. "D O O D Y.... Doody." he blurted out.

"Ding!" went the bell.  "Wrong."

"Wrong?  Wrong?"  I was so mad.  "You said it wrong!" I thought.

The word was "duty" but the lady clearly said, "doody."  I didn't think it was fair and my "Mama Bear" started showing.  I tried to smoosh Mama Bear down inside me and not let her out, but I kept sneaking looks at Elliott and reigniting.  I knew if he saw me he would burst into tears and that wouldn't help his image much.  "Poor guy." I kept thinking.  "That wasn't fair. Can we get a do over?? Grrrr." // "Mama Bear, get back inside of there!  Don't let your animal show!"  It was hard.

Elliott eventually came over and had a good cry on my lap and then we went home and had some ice cream with rainbow sprinkles.

We'll get 'em next year, son... So proud of you.