Hershey's Track Meet - Sarah's the one to beat!

A big contender of the area Hershey's Track Meet, Sarah showed up just in time for her first heat in one of her events, the 50-meter. Why? She had been throwing up all night prior to the meet and wasn't sure she had the strength to compete. She also had another ailment - she had broken her left foot in gymnastics two and half weeks earlier. However, Sarah ran 4 heats of the 50 and the 100-meter races - winning each of them, hands down, to get to the finals.(above semi-final in the 100.) Before the finals in those races, she entered the standing long jump and made it to the finals - she jumped 69 inches and took 1st - with a broken foot!! Soon she was called to the finals in the 50 and the 100. I could see the "juice" slipping from her - she was beginning to look a little gray even after a morning in the May sun. She went to the starting line for the 50, soon the gun went off and Sarah came racing to the finish. She took 1st!! - ahead of the others but not by a lot. Her face was ghost-white as she finished. She came up to me, slightly hobbling, "Mom, I don't feel good." "I can tell." I said to her, holding her. "I have to go back for the final in the hundred right now." "Are you okay? Do you want to finish?" I asked. "Yah," she said as Jed took her hand and walked to the line with her. I watched, with butterflies flitting about in my belly, as my determined daughter took her lane and got ready for the gun. Off the girls went. I could tell it was going to be close. I could see the look on Sarah's face through the camera lens, a look of struggle mixed with perseverance. Sarah and another girl were battling it out to get to the line first. It looked like a tie, it was so close but they called the other girl as the first place winner. Sarah took 2nd in the hundred. As she walked away from the recorders tent, she congratulated the girl as the girl turned to her friends and said, "I beat Sarah!" Obviously, she was the one to beat. :-) We're all so proud of Sarah!! She will go to Regionals to compete in those events - 50-meter, 100-meter and long jump. Way to go Sarah!!

It's time for summer, right?!

Macy and Nicholas couldn't wait for a day warmer than yesterday's 70 degrees to play in the sprinklers! It was a NOW activity! They took off their clothes and turned on the sprinkler and ran for it. Obviously, it didn't last much longer than 15-20 minutes but hey, they loved it. Of course,  all the while wishing summer was here already. 

Ethan turns NINE!!

Ethan Jed has turned 9! What a great kid! Ethan is full of life and is always "up for a challenge", as Sarah says, and good fun. We went around the family to say what each of us appreciate about Ethan and one thing we all agreed on is Ethan is a sensitive, loving boy. He is also VERY strong!  He can climb the rope at gym to the top of the warehouse building without using his legs. Happy Birthday Ethan!

A few days at Zermott Resort for Spring Break!

We had a wonderful two days at Zermott in Midway. Swimming was the activity of choice both days. We had a very relaxing time, playing with the children and enjoying some quality family time. We were able to visit with Jed's high school buddy Oliver Button - it's been years - and get caught up.  The kids call Oliver, Uncle Ollie every time we see him. After Zermott we went home to pull out the good 'ole dirtbikes!

Sarah Jane had crazy hair day at school and she got creative! She put a few of her littlest pet shop animals in her nicely-put-together-bun. Isn't she darling?! 

Sarah had to go to the doctor to x-ray her left foot. Come to find out - there is a break! So she is out of gymnastics for a month. She was concerned that she wouldn't be able to run in the Hersheys Track Meet in May but the doctor told her she could do it IF her foot is feeling better.  She signed up this week - she obviously plans to run! :-) Good luck Sarah!

What yawning on the job!

Despite the looks of it, Emily is actually playing some awesome volleyball. Our last tournament was last weekend and we took first in the Gold Division! Emily, over the course, of the tourney had over 25 service aces and several great plays to help us end up on top. The team is making such great progress. I'm thrilled that they played so well as a team to accomplish this. :) Way to go Vipers!