Hometown Olympics!

Well, this past weekend's party may have been the most fun I've had in a long time!  Earlier this summer, I knew I wanted to throw a big party.  Originally, I was brainstorming ideas for adults only, but the problem with that is that so many families are tied to having such young kids.  So, I knew it needed to be a party that was a family event.  Then, it hit me, with the Olympics during July, it would be the perfect party theme.  Families participating in Olympic events.  Perfect!  We could all watch the Olympics with our kids, get them involved in learning about the different sports, different countries, patriotism, good sportsmanship, on and on.  

So, on Saturday, we held the first annual (I say first annual because I would love to do this again; well, in four years I guess :) Hometown Olympics at our house.  And it was a total blast!  We had about 50 people come and the games were memorable to say the least!  Here are some of my fav pics.

So, this shot of the buckets set up is the only "set up" photo I have (and not particularly interesting either :).  I realized after all the food had been gobbled up and table spread overtaken by little toddler hands, I hadn't taken any shots of the tables or decor.  But, then I quickly realized it really didn't matter, because the party was about fun and families doing things together.  I am in love with all of our friends' faces while playing these games, the kids' smiles, and the random shots of people just being themselves.  Way more fun and representative of us than any Olympic-themed table spread!

So, this is the "Polo Match."  The dads (and Leah!) were such troopers.  Pool noodles and a beach ball, and game on!

Truitt had two kids on his back - well, until they fell.  His 4th kid is on the way!  :)

GOAL!

Then, a little tug 'o war.  Did you know it was an Olympic event, way back in the beginning of the Olympic Games.  And, I mean, how could we not play tug 'o war!

Moms vs. moms

We weren't playing around, game on!

Then, Moms vs. Kids
The kids LOVED this one!

Check out Garrison and Connor's self-made seats.  Love it!

We really were pulling...

and then Kristen busted the dads that jumped in on the kids' side :)

Dads vs. Dads

And the big finale:  the Triathlon.  The route was bike from our house around the block, to the pool, swim a lap, and then run back to our house.  The final leg was the giant sized slip 'n slide that you had to cross.  This turned out even better than I expected...I'm so glad so many people participated!

Heat 1, Stan was the first to finish  3:57, super fast!

Truitt making it across:

Here comes Jim:

And Mike:

Shawn:

Here comes Gavin!!

Heat 2, Ford

graceful Jason :)

Here's Matt!

I can not tell you how entertaining that part was.  The men were absolutely wrecked after the race.  The comments still make me laugh out loud:  "My lungs are burning!"  "My hip!  Jason was out of commission and sore all the next day, and I've been told one dad had to go throw up by his car after the race was over.  (But I think the beer was a contributing factor there :)  Jason told me after he got out of the pool and went to put his shoes back on, he didn't think he'd be able to even stand up out of the chair.  LOL!




Some great candids:

The Moore's are about to welcome baby #2 in a few weeks!  A little boy...

Little Lanie, who's not so little anymore

And who can forget the Triplets' first party!  Adelaide, Grace, and Caitlyn came to join in the fun.  Big props to mom and dad, Rebecca and Josh, for making it out!  So good to see you guys; hope it was worth all the effort it must have taken to make it happen!  :)

newest baby addition to the group, Colton.  He chilled... :)

 Garrison enjoying the jeep before he fell and totally ate the pavement.  poor baby :(

Connor and the fabulous Miss Rebecca, our babysitter.

What a blast, can't wait to do it again!  Who's hosting next time!?!  :)

If you want to see all the pics, just click here

School Supply Time!

I LIVED for the time right before school started when I got to go pick out my school supplies!  It was even more fun to do with Lucy, and I feel quite confident that she'll look forward to it each year as well.  Here's some pics from our visit to the store:

She needs two spirals, and she wanted two of the same instead of two different ones like I had suggested :)

No surprise she picked out the pink glittery, sparkly pencil pouch :)

"Mommy, wait, let me pose!"  :)

One for the books

Thinking about all the future "Lucy stories" we'll accumulate as she grows up, I predict the story I'm about to tell you will go down in the top three.  We're in trouble...

So, she's REALLY into putting conditioner in her hair.  LOVES IT!  It's the only part of taking a shower she likes.  She insists on letting it soak in for a long time, has a routine to putting it on:  you have to put it on first, followed by her doing it on her own.  Then, there's lots of stroking and commentary about "how silky" it is and will be.  :)

One night last week, Lucy had showered, was in her pajamas, snuggled in bed, and Jason arrived to tuck her in.  She was stroking her hair and remarked to him how pretty her hair was.  Now, unfortunately, I wasn't in the room to hear and witness this epic confession, but here's what Jason told me went down.

Lucy:  "My hair is so silky.  It's so pretty."

Jason:  tell her that yes, her hair is pretty, and takes a teachable moment to point out that sometimes what one person thinks is pretty isn't pretty to someone else, that there are lots of pretty people, that sometimes someone you may not think is pretty may be very pretty to someone that loves them, etc.

(We've had several discussions regarding Lucy's natural inclination to be very fascinated and into clothes, makeup, appearances, the way she just notices things that, frankly, I think she shouldn't be noticing at five years of age.  Aware of this, Jason and I have made it a priority to "reign it in" a bit and do all that we can to counteract her natural tendency.  Note, I'm not saying this way of hers is bad in and of itself, however, I believe that it means we're going to be dealing with her flirting with crossing the line where she could begin - as she grows up - to judge people based on how they look, choose friends based on who's cool or not, etc.  We want to do what we can to prevent that from happening.  Hopefully, we're sowing seeds of that now.  (Although, after this, we need to step it up even more; you'll see what I mean...)

Lucy:  "But daddy...sometimes I can't stop thinking about it."

Jason:  perplexed, "Stop thinking about what, Lucy?"

Lucy:  "How cool I am."

This is when my jaw dropped open during Jason's retelling of the story.  Oh boy...

I mean, it's funny, but it's not, right?  I think society is failing our young children of teaching them humility.  So many people get it so wrong (yes, I realize that's judging, but I'm sorry it's true :)...Society puts so much energy into teaching our children they "can do anything they put their mind to," parents focus so much attention on building up their child's self-esteem.  (And what happens when these children encounter failure, or aren't #1 at whatever they're trying to be #1 at, the kids falls apart and can't handle it.  And mom and dad become "those parents"...Anyways, I digress)  The point is, I don't want my child to have a high self-esteem; I want my children to demonstrate humility.  I want them to think of other people and what they need.  To realize their God-given talents and abilities, but not be prideful or arrogant about it.  Even Jason realizes and admits that growing up his whole life having his parents tell him how brilliant and wonderful he was contributed to his unhealthy arrogance.  (Or maybe it's something they teach in engineering school; I'm not sure.  But I know lots of engineers, and - not all, but lots of those engineers think pretty highly of themselves :)  I want my kids to be able to make a humble, sincere apology when they've done wrong (not believe that they could never do wrong).  I want them to be unpretentious, not focusing on how much they have (because I think we can all agree, we all have way more than we need), but how much they can give to others, in the way of showing love and serving others.

Now, I don't know where she learned this phrase "how cool I am."  I don't even think I use the word "cool" anymore :)  She hears her dad joke about how awesome he is, probably too frequently!  (hint, hint) :) and perhaps it's time I listen more closely to the teeny-bopper shows she likes on Disney (Jessie and Good Luck Charlie are her favorites).  But whatever the case, more intervention is needed to bring this delightful daughter of mine down a few notches.  Kindergarten will be good for her, for sure.  And when we do venture into the world of team sports, no doubt that will be a healthy reality check for her too.  Although, no doubt it will be overshadowed by the crazy parents I already hear stories about.  I'm so not looking forward to that... :(

I've gotten way off-track here; shocking I know.  :)  Back to Lucy; my very "cool" daughter.  It's one for the books, for sure.  And by the way, after Lucy's bombshell of a comment, Jason did of course, follow it up with further discussion.  We'll be having lots more chats, for sure...  :)  So when you're putting conditioner in your hair and admiring how silky it is, just remember you're not the only one with great hair!  :)