A little lesson

Today I had one of those, "oh how I wish I could protect my kid, but I know they need to do this themselves" interactions. We went to a friend's birthday, not because we were invited, as he is older than Paisley and it was for his class, but because we wanted to help get their younger child there from daycare. Anyhow, we stayed long enough for the girls to play outside in the AMAZING weather sledding and running beside the older kids on the hills---and then consume some serious sugar in their cupcake heaven! Right as the cupcakes ended, the "big kids" began playing a game. Paisley was invited to play, and because she did not know the game she was hesitant. I let her decide on her own if she wanted to play. She agreed and hopped out there with the older bunch. The game was passing the orange between your chin and neck without using hands. She was first in line, a little nervous, but curious;  the orange fell to the floor between her and the girl behind her 2 times; Once the game was over, Paisley came to me with such a dejected face; not the grumpy kind, but the embarrassed kind. I saw her eyes well up and though she tried to be strong, she turned away from the other kids and began to cry. I gave her a quick pep talk and she was back in action(not for the game, but as a spectator this time). 
However, what I really wanted to say to her was, "I am proud of you for getting into that group, for putting yourself out there, for trying to learn a new game, for trying to be with everyone despite your fears." But, instead, I said there was no need to cry, no need to be upset, and good work for trying....it is ok if the orange falls, it's part of the game." Soon after, we drove home and I couldn't help it...I went there again: "Paisley, I am proud of you for trying, for being there, and for having fun despite how you were embarrassed" She smiled and retorted, "I'm not playing that game again, it's not fun!" Well, one day she WILL play it again and it WILL be fun.....but, for today, I know she needed to learn that she was not big enough yet, not old enough to play with the second graders in the same way they play with each other...in the same rough housing tough way, but, in the end, she learned, she tried, and she had fun(well, some, at least). Secretly, I am glad she is not old enough yet....without holding her back, I want to absorb as many of the "young" times as possible.