Kidathlon

Our old neighbors' new neighborhood is just full of kids and young families always looking for an excuse to get together and have fun. This activity is one of my favorites: The Kidathlon. For the big kids, it's two laps around their neighborhood - about a mile, a few laps in someone's backyard pool and a sprint back to the finish line. They go in 14 waves depending on age and ability. (Wave one is in the picture above - the big boys) The little kids have a tiny triathlon - a short ride on trikes, little bikes with training wheels, big wheels, whatever, a sprint back and fishing around in baby pools until they collect ten pennies.

Waiting in the wings in wave 14 (water wings... get it? I'm so lame.)

This was the first year we participated in the actual athletic event (they have lunch, beer and volleyball in the backyard afterward - we hit that part last year!) so we thought Joe should try out the big kid race just to see if he could do it. Scott went with him in case he got lost, couldn't finish, gave up, forgot what he was doing... you know. He was in the last wave of kiddos and he actually did great. He finished dead last, of course, and swam the short length of the pool, but he finished! We were so proud of him.

The best part was that he didn't really know he was dead last. By the time he finally came through (a good 4 or 5 minutes after the last runner was in) everyone else knew who we were waiting for and was cheering wildly for our Joe. He ran full force once he heard everyone. Two moms held up the streamer for each kid crossing the finish line, and Joe just ate it up.

He was so proud of himself. I was so proud that he finished the whole race!

The twins were next for the little kid race. Not being the competitive type at all, Patrick didn't even pedal his big wheel for the first leg. He just scooted it along.

They made up some time running back, but got a little confused with the pennies. All in all, they had a great time, and this event will hopefully promote some healthy living habits!

Of course, everyone got a medal at the end and lots of lemonade.