Turkey Trot

Oh my! Today the kids got to raise money for the annual Turkey Trot by running laps. Now when I was a kid and it was my turn to run those laps to raise money for the school I was a total slacker. I mean seriously, why should I run when I could walk the lap?!? I have to admit I wondered which of my kids would take after me in that philosophy.

Amazingly enough, neither took after me. Shocker, I know! The car indicated 87 degrees before I parked.  Quickly I signed in and rushed to the backfield where Elena's grade was running. Lap after lap they ran. So far the heat wasn't that bad but those kids were powering through the water. Elena finally sees me and she's super excited I made it in time. She and her BFF pace themselves to run their laps together and they make that turn pretty regularly. Again, not like me. It it were me; me and my BFF would be walking arm in arm talking and singing or something like that. Finally the countdown to finish and the kids are now snacking on punch and cookies. I have to say Elena did a lot better at her laps then I would have. I have some free time before it's Hayden's turn and after a really sweet plea from her I join Elena in her classroom for lunch and a movie.

Now it's time for me to join Hayden's class on the field and the fun begins. You know, kindergartners are super funny to watch. After a brief instruction period we send the kids on their run. What we expected was a little confusion as they make their first lap. What we didn't expect was for them all to stop for a drink at the water station. & I mean all of them. So finally, with some loud encouragement they are now off on their first lap. Lap one. Lap two. Lap three. I'm wondering where Hayden is. Maybe he slipped by me and I didn't notice him when I was marking the kids cards. Now I'm beginning to wonder if he ever left the water station. FINALLY I see him. But he has difficulty rounding that first turn. He and a few others are herded back on course. Finally he completes Lap one.

Lap two proves to be almost as difficult as the first but we encourage him on. While other children are working on Laps 5 and 6, my son is busy trying to keep his shorts from falling off him as he runs (time for a new belt.) Presently, he is really just sort of half running, half playing with his friends. More encouragement. Oy. Lap 3 complete. But I think he's starting to get this whole lap business. Lap 4 and he returns a lot quicker than before. The remaining laps he's actually gotten into them and is showing some real spirit. We reach our end of the festivities and it's time once again for punch and cookies. Those kids got it so good. We head back to the classroom and you guessed it, another movie.

The day was hot. I mean hot, hot. Standing in the sun watching them run tired me out. The punch and cookies were yummy. A day spent with my kids was just what I needed to lift my spirits. Oh yeah, and we raised a little money for the school.

Until Next Time, SoCal Marisa