Track Meet

Every Tuesday night in Rochester they have a kids track meet. We've forgotten all summer and finally remembered! We rushed out the door and met up with our friends the Rockne's only to get there and Gerrit wanting nothing to do with the whole event! I quickly got him in line for the 50 m dash and when it was time to run, he wouldn't so I held his hand and ran with him only to have him start crying! Yep, he cried the whole time - thank goodness it was only a 50!

We tried getting him to get in line to do the long jump but again, he wanted nothing to do with it. So we said we'd leave (after all the work getting there on time!) but he wanted to stay and watch. He finally wanted to run with dad - on the grass:

He then warmed up to the idea of running on the track - of course, opposite of the events where no one was around:

Finally he was ready to give it a try and run...unfortunately the 3 yr olds had already run the 100m! I told Adam to just get him in line, who cares if he missed his age group - the kid wants to run! So Adam goes to the starting line with him:

Can you guess what age they were up to when Gerrit ran (in the above picture)? 6 yr olds!

Here he is, happy as a lark running the 100 m dash:

The gang taking a break between races:

Gerrit wanted to race again so we waited for the 200 m dash. This time he did run with his age group.

Dad is in the lead....Gerrit checking out the competition and Dad counting how many kids he's passed (who's competetive?).

Getting a smily face at the finish line

Taking a much needed drink after that long 200 m dash

Gerrit finally wanted to do the long jump and luckily the line was much shorter than the 1st time we tried to get him to get in line. Check out that air! His furthest jump (all of 2 jumps) was 2'6"

We decided it was time to head home (even though I think Gerrit would've ran the 400 if we let him). As we were walking to the car we passed a ball diamond so the kids had to run the bases (Matt's idea)

Gerrit was safe at home, thanks to great umping by Matt and Abby

The big ribbon Gerrit received for partcipating in the track meet.

I think we'll go next year, just not on the last meet of the summer as it was pretty busy. We decided that in order for Gerrit to warm up to soccer camp (which we paid for), I'll have to brin him early enough to see what is going on and give him a chance to get use to the whole idea. Once he tries things, he loves it and has a great time, its just getting the kid to get started that is the challenge!

My Little Music Machine

The trumpeter

the audience

live show

totally entertained

audience participation:

Guard Dog

While I was hanging laundry on the line, Emmit was chillin in his bumbo seat. Mrs. Putney heard Gerrit and came over to check out what the kids were doing. She loved that Emmit was at her level and gave him lots of kisses (which Emmit wasn't too sure about).

Mrs. Putney decided to lay next to him and keep an eye on him. (I got Gerrit to join them for this photo.) She is such a sweet dog and loves it when the boys are outside. We hope her joints feel better and she lives a long time!

The Lazy Way

Yesterday we went to the Red Wing water park with Rockne's and Dahlen's (I should say, Nikki and I took all the kids to the water park). It was hot and the kids had a blast! I wanted to get some good pictures (for all my scrapbooking I am able to do - HA!) but Emmit wasn't cooperating and didn't want to take his nap. Once I finally got him to sleep, I was too lazy to get out of my chair to take pictures...so these pictures were taken from my lawn chair in the shade with my super zoom lens :) (except for the top and bottom left and bottom right picture). Not bad for taking them sitting down! I love how the water is captured midair. I don't think my normal lens does as nice of a job getting the water to stand still (I'll have to remember that!)

Following a long afternoon at the water park, we met the guys for dinner after they rode to the restaurant.

Splish Splash

Tuesday we went over to Lake Pepin for swimming and a birthday party. Gerrit of course hung out at the steps or along the edge of the pool. Paul took it upon himself to pry Gerrit away from his comfort zone and enter the middle of the pool. Not to anyone's surprise, Gerrit liked it! After dinner, Gerrit wanted Paul to go swimming again so he could go into the middle of the pool. Here are a few shots:

My favorite is the large photo.

Next week Gerrit goes to Bible School up the street. I'm working on getting him excited as my fear is that I too will be going to Bible school next week! I think like most things with him, if he is forced to try it, he will like it, it's getting him to try it that is the kicker!

Foody Thursday

The radio station I listen to has a 'foody Thursday' segment and seeing this is a food entry and it is Thursday, I thought I'd title it the same...

Seeing we are just entering the life of solid foods now with Emmit, I was curious how the 2 boys compared in their 'first feeding' pictures...

What Did I Expect?

when:

1.) 3 yr old takes too long of a nap

2.) 3 yr old is still up at 9:30 when you go up to read before bed

3.) you don't lock the 3 yr old in his room

{Yes, I locked the 3 yr old in his room before I took this photo!}

what's missing from this photo is the green soap that is on the wall and light switch!

At least the bathroom smells apply fresh!