Go Saige....

I'm a over worker outter. It's true. I admit it. I love working out. Many people hate it, not me. I can't wait to get to the gym or to run outside or go to a yoga class. It clears my head. It keeps me just on the sane side of crazy. I think it started when my kids were really small, I wasn't always like this. When my kids were babies, going to the gym was the one thing I did totally for myself. It was like two hours of freedom from all those pesky mothering duties. Then it just kind of stuck. At first I would have a babysitter come and I would go. As soon as Chase got old enough I started taking them with me. I quit my kind of meat heady simple gym to join one with a kids room. Monday through Saturday Saige, Chase and I would head out across West Chester to Mitch's Market St. Gym and they would play while I worked out and took a shower. I have heard so many mothers say, "Oh my kids don't want to go to the gym." I don't ever remember offering it up as a choice. It just was what we did. I was trying to lead by example. I wanted to show them something good before they got old enough to recognize a cosmo and know Kid Rock lyrics. All those experts claim it's the early years to make the good impression. I'm hoping that holds true.
So anyway, this went on through the years. Saige went off to kindergarten, it was just Chase and I. We joined a brand new gym that opened closer to our house and continued to make it our morning ritual until he too went to school.
Okay, here comes the point of my story. A few days ago Saige told me she wanted to start running. Yeah. I'm so happy. I have been waiting for this day. She then proceeded to set her alarm for 45 minutes before she usually gets up. Make her water bottle for the next morning. Make sure her I pod is charged. She got her clothes and sneakers ready and then made a little time schedule of how her morning would go. I left everything completely up to her. Even the waking up part. I wanted it to be her decision. Everyday, she's been down here dressed and ready to go by 6:50. Downstairs in the basement, on that treadmill, getting sweaty. I couldn't be more proud. She is so happy with herself too, she said yesterday, "It's weird, I thought I'd be tired after I was done because I got up so early but I actually feel more awake." It's like music to my ears.