Sunday, April 3, 2011

Triathlon

  A few months ago I asked my kids if they would like to do a triathlon.  They agreed, although I am sure that they had know idea at that time what they had actually agreed to do.   In my mind we had plenty of time to train and prepare.  Well, that time came and went, and except for about a week of bike rides and jogs around the block, there wasn't a lot of preparing.

Saturday was the big day and in case you couldn't tell they were sooooo nervous!  And to be quite honest so was I.



 The race finally began and they were off!  Well, at least Liam was,  he jumped right in, that is why we have a picture of him.  He did great even though he said the swimming was the hardest part and he was sure that he was going to drown.  I don't think that it helped that he figured out before he jumped in that the pool was "3yds and 1ft deep".


There is no picture of McKinna swimming because she had major second thoughts about the whole thing, the moment she was supposed to get in the water.   Anyway, I was dealing with more pressing issues than a photograph at that time.  I think that the video camera may have been running but I don't think any of us want to remember that moment.  Just know that she did finally get in the water, probably only because she was determined to get a medal at the end.

Liam was out of the water and on to his bike.  He said that the bike ride was his favorite part.  I think he may have just been grateful to be on dry ground after what he considered to be his near drowning experience.




McKinna on her bike and I think still not so sure that she was enjoying any of this, and yet still determined to get her medal!




Liam was off and running



and running.  He must have been going so fast that the girl in white couldn't believe her own eyes!



                      Still determined and maybe in shock, McKinna comes running up the hill.


                                  Not giving up, look how she speeds past the speed limit sign!


The end is in sight and she is going for it!



Can you see the difference in their faces from the first picture to the last?



Liam was so excited at the end, the first thing he said to me was "that was so great, can I do it again!"

McKinna wasn't quite as enthused but then she said "sure, I'll do it again 'cause I want another medal!"

I am so proud of them for facing their fears and seeing it through to the end, it was really a great experience.  



Sunday, January 16, 2011

80's Day


So can you tell what the theme of the day was at school?  Yep, it was 80's day.  My friend Rachael let me borrow a few items to help with the look.  It's not that she is stuck in a time warp, it's that her kids
had 80's day on Wednesday and so she had all the stuff.



I really never remember dressing like that and I really hope that I didn't because on my very best day I never had legs like McKinna!  I probably rocked some 80's hair because my hair is naturally BIG but that is the only thing I will fess up to.   

Liam's outfit wasn't too hard because he already had the Star Wars shirt since Star Wars seems to have remained in style since the 80's.  Then we pegged his jeans and added a bandana.  I tried to feather his hair but it's a bit short, so I just did the best I could 

I was worried that McKinna was going to have a fit about going to school with the hair and the clothes. By the time she got ready I became worried that she was going to try to single handedly bring back the 80's  style!  She loved everything about this look.  Then when she got to school they were playing Madonna over the intercom which only increased her enthusiasm for the style.

All I can say is thank goodness it was all borrowed or I don't think I would ever get her out of this outfit!