triathlon

 We had our second go at the Kinder triathlon near us. It's very well run and the kids get to choose a free gift at the end, regardless of how fast they finish, so they love it as well. Last year it was cold and rainy, but this year it was warm and sunny and it made a world of difference. So did having Rocky around to help out.

Eliot's race was significantly harder than the younger kids, her's actually involved swimming, instead of just running in shallow water. She finished strong, despite getting a stitch in her side. After her third of four laps on the run she yelled to us "I'm dying!" I think she really felt she was but she finished. After the finish line you have your choice of ice tea, water or chicken bouillon. After seeing her options she just about flipped the drink table in rage. She has a history of getting upset when parents bring ice tea to her soccer games because she chooses not to drink tea but also isn't so keen on water. But she found the box of tiny candy bars and was appeased.

Violet told me her goal was to finish better than 7th. Which is what she did last year. She has the largest age group. She finished 8th but was appeased when I reminded there that last year, she was the oldest age and this year she is the youngest (the age brackets have two years each). She would have been ninth but she snaked her way in front of another girl right before the finish line. She proudly listed to Rocky all the kids she passed on the bike and the run. It's not just her stride that gives her away as her father's daughter, she has a killer competitive edge and loves to win.

Winston told me several times he was only doing this because he wanted a toy but by the time he got a prize (youngest group), the toys were gone. He was happy with a gigantic Lightening McQueen eraser.

During Winston's race, Eliot and Violet swam out to the diving boards and toys in the lake. You can see their tiny heads in the water. Definitely not a bad place to spend a Saturday.

 When I took this picture of Winston crossing the finish line, I couldn't believe how much older he looked than last year. I've seen last year's a lot because my family made it into a sticker for our family chat. He had had a bike crash and had finished the run crying. (Mom of the year award for just standing by taking pictures.) This year he was all smiles and he even had decent running shoes and bike the right size, we might just be making progress. He happily grabbed as many twix bars as his tiny hands could hold and asked if he could go home and play legos yet.

It's fun for us to see our kids work to accomplish something hard. They are already making plans for next year.  Also, next year Oskar is old enough to join, and judging by the massive tantrum he threw in the parking lot when he realized we had not also brought his bike, he will be ready.