2nd Triathlon

Today, our baby completed her 2nd Triathlon.  I'm amazed that she is only 7 years old and can do this.

This morning before the race I heard her in her room.  She was talking so I stepped in to see who she was talking to.  She was in her floor playing with barbies.  I thought to myself, she is still a baby.  She was about to do a triathlon in a  few hours but it didn't seem to faze her.  I felt enough nerves for the both of us.

Parents were told we could not enter the pool area for the swim.  We were told we could watch from windows above the pool area.  As the time approached, I saw other parents down there.  Now, I'm not a rule breaker.  I try always to follow rules but if other parents were down there that meant this mama would get to go too.  Ben remained in the designated area, I went down to the 'restricted' pool area.  :)

I saw her start, swim 50 yards, then climb out.  She looked tired.  I cheered for her and followed her to the transition area where she jumped on her bike.  Ben and I then raced to the road to see her.  Ben continued out of site while I stayed back close to the transition area so I could cheer her there.  When I saw her coming back in sight I dashed back to the transition area where she jumped off her bike and hit the road.  I ran along side of her for as a long as I could.  This was my favorite part.  I ran beside her talking to her the whole time. She stayed really focused and kept her eyes straight forward.  I told her to keep a slow and steady pace.  Ben had told her not to sprint until the finish line was in site.  He knew she would tire quickly if she started sprinting at the beginning.  As the road came to an end for me, she had to continue on without me. Unfortunately, parents can't do the entire race with their children. ;)  I told her to keep it steady and I would see her at the finish line.  Come to find out, Ben found a way to run about a quarter mile with her.  He said there were other nutty parents on the trail too.

While I was running along side her, I had the greatest feeling.  I kept thinking, this is the girl that God gave us.  He plucked her from around the world and gave her to us.  He gave her to us so we could encourage her, so we could cheer for her, so we could love her, but most importantly so we could tell her about Him.  I just can't believe how blessed we are to have her.

Exiting the pool

Transitioning from bike to run

The finish!

The post-race banana

"Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point."

C.S. Lewis

At my baby shower for Chloe back in 2005 I received the most beautiful baby bedding. I had picked it out from Pottery Barn Kids and my very generous mother in law bought it for us. I have loved it since day one. When she grew out of the baby bed I kept it because I just couldn't bear to get rid of it. It was where our sweet girl had laid her head. Well, recently I pulled it out of storage. My very resourceful and extremely talented mother dismantled, so to speak, the beautiful bumper pad and made it into a very special quilt. Now, it will go with her when she grows up. I am so thankful that now she will be able to have a quilt that both grandmothers had a part in. ♥

The bumper pad before, serving it's original purpose.

The beautiful masterpiece designed by my mother.  Something our girl will always have.

The Triathelete

Chloe's first triathlon turned into a duathlon! It was too cold for the swim. She ran about 100 yards (instead of the 50 yard swim), biked 2.4 miles, then ran again .5 mile. She placed 2nd in her age division. Her daddy and I will be on cloud nine for some time!

Pre-race instructions from Daddy...

A little encouragement from Mama....

The official timekeeper chip.....

The body marking....

The transition area...

The bike... (2.4 miles)

The run...(.5 mile)

2nd place in her age division...

The girl never ceases to amaze me

  I don't remember learning these things when I was in school.  She's just in the first grade!

Sitting in car line to let her out at the bus stop.  I see a deer.  I say to her: "Look at that deer, it sure is pretty."
She says: "Mama, that's a consumer. There are decomposers, producers and consumers."      Huh?

Sitting in the car at the railroad track.  Watching the train I tell her the train is carrying gravel.  She corrects me and says: "Actually,  it's aggregate."     Huh?

Ben says by second grade she is definitely going to be smarter than us.

Housekeeping

Ben made Chloe make her bed yesterday.  She huffed and puffed but when I went into her room it was finished and she had done a really good job.  Our girl is not much on housekeeping.  We discovered all sorts of stuff after dismantling her bunk beds this weekend.  A zip lock baggie with a few peanut butter cookies was one of the little "treasures" we found.  No telling how long it had been under the bed.  I am continually going behind her to put the toothpaste top back on, pick up clothes, pick up her towel and flushing the toilet.   As her mother, I can't help but want to come to her rescue when daddy is making her do chores.  He keeps saying it's good for her and I know it is, but I just keep thinking she's only six years old.  She needs my help.  I know he's right, though.  Now is the time to start teaching her responsibility.

 Anyway, he called me this morning after dropping her off at the bus stop, as he usually does.  He will call to give me the "morning report."  I like to know how things went taking her to school.  On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday she is still in the bed when I leave for work so I miss that special time in the mornings with them.   He told me that when he told her to make her bed this morning she looked at him and said: "Am I going to have to make it EVERYDAY?"  We both got a chuckle out of it.

First Grade

She got right up this morning.  I asked her if she was excited.  Her response was a pretty sharp, "No!"

She did not want to ride the bus.  As we arrived at school she jumped out of the back seat and said: "Can I go on in to first grade??"   Glad and a little sad she's so independent.  Mostly glad.

She refused to carry the lunchbox that matches the backpack because it does not have a shoulder strap.  So she opted for the bright green Floyd one.  

Her sweet teacher, Mrs. Bergin

She and daddy are always making funny faces.

Notice the "rabbit ears" daddy told her to do.

So, my girl and I took a little vacation with my sister and niece.  We left Ben at home to work and make us some green money, as Chloe likes to call it.  We had a great time all week at the beach.  The only bad part about the entire week was the June grass.  I think some mistake it for seaweed. The local news reported on it every evening.  People were complaining, including us.  This June grass comes around every year and last for several weeks.  It's pretty disgusting.  Slimy green stuff floating around in the ocean.  Not only in the water but on you and all in your bathing suit when you get out.

Chloe and I spent a lot of time in the hot tub and at the pool.  

Of course, you can't go to the beach for a week and not get in the ocean.  We suffered through the June grass and did have fun.

She came up with a smile on her face every time.

Pawpaw joined us for the first three days.  Chloe had to teach him not to be afraid of the ocean. ;)

Decided to show how much my girl has changed in two years and how nothing on me has changed.  Same bathing suit, hat, everything.  Ha!  It really is a great bathing suit.  

But I must say, the best part about the entire trip was the night before we left.  I borrowed my sister's car and just me and my girl went for some fun.  Money spent at the miracle strip is money well spent!

 You have to be really serious when driving an airplane.

And this picture is my favorite.  The hot air balloons that made me utterly sick and made me feel like if I didn't get off this ride I would hurl, brought absolute joy to her.

What a great trip thanks to my sister and husband.  My sister provided the condo and transportation and my honey provided the money.  I'm just sorry he missed this.  :(