State Track Meet

Today was the Maine State Track Meet! The kids were so excited and nervous this morning, although a bit tired since we had to leave the house by 5:30 a.m. Ouch! They all did GREAT in their events and had a really, really fun day. We are so proud of them for not only qualifying for this big event, but following through and doing their best! What amazing athletes they have all become over the course of this summer. I look forward to many more years 'cause they are already anxious for the next season to start in May...

Quick! Get under the umbrella!

It rained periodically throughout the Qualifying Meet, but that didn't slow the kids down a bit...it just cooled them off, which was a good thing considering how hot & sunny it was in between the showers.

New Friends

Qualifying

Oh, the drama! Today was the qualifier meet for the upcoming Maine USA State Track Meet. If you didn't make it into the top 4 today, you won't go to that meet. 2 of our girls had back-to-back events early in the morning, and both of them qualified by placing 2nd & 3rd consecutively. That left one more sister who hadn't even competed yet, and who was getting very worried about whether or not she would be able to go to the State Meet too. She cried several times throughout the morning, and I told her over and over again that it didn't matter because as far as we were concerned she was already a winner as long as she was having fun and tried her hardest in her upcoming events.

She came up to me again, just before her 800 meter race, wrapped her arms around me and started sobbing, telling me how she couldn't do it and how unfair it was that she wasn't going to be able to go to 'States' and her sisters were already going. I pushed her away and with tears in my eyes told her that I was done. I was tired of consoling her because she obviously wasn't listening. I told her that if it meant that much to her, then she needed to earn it and she was going to have to do better than her best. I am not the type of parent to push my kids to win, but in that moment I felt that's what she needed. I told her flat out that if she wanted to go to States that bad, then she had better remember how to count and if there were more than 3 girls in front of her, then she needed to pass them! She was shocked to hear this coming from me, but it dried her tears and hardened her resolve. You know what? She's going to 'States'...

Sisters

Good Sportsmanship

Here you see a vicious head-to-head battle for the finish line between the twins! I can't wait to see the time because I'm sure it will be blazing fast - neither of them wanted to let the other one win! Of course, only one could win, but her sister took it very well & just shrugged her shoulders because she knows that she's not the one with the strongest competitive streak. And that her sister would kill herself trying to win. But, she grinned because she didn't make it easy for her!!

Personal Strength

I think this is what I like the best about the kids competing in track - they get to learn what they really can do; sometimes more than they ever thought possible! While our oldest daughter was competing at the high-jump, they called her over to run the 800 meter race. After running a very tough race, she had to go back to the high jump and finish competing there. But, since she was the last of her age group to compete, she had to do all of her jumps one right after the other! I felt so bad for her because she was so hot and exhausted, but she kept throwing herself up over that bar until she just couldn't do it anymore...

My son was incredibly helpful, bringing his step-sister a bottle of water and an ice-water soaked bandanna to help cool her down...

Track Meet

I don't know if you happened to know, but the temperatures here today were in the upper 90s (Farenheit). I am not complaining 'cause I LOVE hot weather! However, the kids had a track meet today, so the heat was a factor. Fortunately we were prepared with spray bottles, ice-water soaked bandanas and lots & lots of drinking water. We had a great day and I just couldn't be more proud of my kids.
My son showed his team spirit by running in a relay race, even though he had already competed in 3 events. And then he helped me by supporting his step-sisters while they competed in their events, by bringing them drinks & other items to help cool them down. When I didn't think he could get any kinder, he let his oldest step-sister borrow his sneakers because her sneakers were hurting her feet! So, there he was walking around barefoot while she ran around in his shoes...

To be continued...

Coach's T-shirt

The 8 & under girls LOVE their coach - she's a great leader for them!

Stretching & Yawning

Looks like some of the kiddos didn't get enough sleep!

Encouragement

Core Strength

Look at her go!!

I love the smile on her face...it will stay there 'til the finish...she loves running!

Shot Put

She's so focused on that ball, in that moment, visualizing throwing it as far as possible...

Can you see the ball? A real challenge for the photographer to capture it in the air, somewhere that it can be seen! She threw it more than 13' - really good for a first try!!

Up & Over

She had never tried competing in this event before Thursday's meet, but she tried really hard & did extremely well! I told her that about the only way I could get over that 3' bar would be to fall over it!! That made her giggle...

Spotted at Today's Meet

Wait for me!

In between events the kids had some 'down-time', which they used for rough-housing. It was fun to watch them...

Ready 2 Run

The kiddos have their 1st track meet today! Notice who had to get in the middle of their group portrait...that cat is too much!!