Tri the Rock

We got up early to take Alyssa to Tri the Rock, a youth triathlon in Castle Rock.  It was Alyssa's second year participating in this event.  In her age division, they swam 100 meters (4 lengths of the pool), biked 8 K and ran 2K.  The event started at 8:00, but the bike racks opened at 6:30.  Our goal was to be there by 7.  Yeah right, we did make it by 7:20.  BUT, Alyssa forgot her swim goggles (last year she forgot her helmet, I'm making a checklist next year!).  Van ran home to get her goggles, but according to Alyssa got the wrong ones.  We knew when Alyssa got out of the water, that is was going to be a long race.  She was already wiped out and still had to ride her bike and run (or walk).  During her "run", Van went to find her and ran alongside her to encourage her to jog and not walk.  I tried to get Aaron to meet her 50 yards before the finish line and run in with her, but he wouldn't.  That would have been a heartwarming moment!  But alas, it was not to be.  Alyssa finished in 50 minutes and 48 seconds: 18 out of 29 in her age division.  She was very disappointed, but Van and I are very proud of her!

Before the race:  well-rested and ready to go!  Getting ready to jump in the pool

Getting ready for her bike ride. 

And she's off for her 8K bike ride!

Waiting for Alyssa to come back from her bike ride. 

Playing Legos to past the time (see previous post about Legos).

  
And here she is!

And she's off on her 2K run!  

Looking tired.

The finish line:  Go Alyssa!

Waiting for the results.  An ice cream cone always helps the time go faster!

Life is good!

Ok, here's Alyssa's weekend:

Friday night:  Birthday party at Morgan's house-it was a bead party and they made necklaces.

Satruday morning:  Cheerleading mini-camp.  I'm already tired of her practicing her cheers.  V-I-C-T-O-R-Y, V-I-C-T-O-R-Y.

Saturday afternoon:  Birthday party at Jessica' house.

Sunday Morning;  Tri the Rock

Must be nice being an 11 year old!

The birds and the bees

Ok, so I've been putting off giving my 11 year old daughter "the talk".  Today I finally decided to dive in.  I checked out a kid friendly picture book from the library, we found a private place to talk, and had the conversation.  I got the expected look of horror and ewwws.  We had an open, honest discussion as we laughed about the humorous pictures in the book.  I felt really good as a mother until she said, "Why did you do that to daddy?!?!"  Ummmmm......maybe I need to try again.   

On Top of the World! ...or Castle Rock.

 In my quest to be healthy and to teach my kids healthy habits, I've been trying to do more active things with my kids.  This weekend that included hiking (climbing) to the TOP of the rock,  We've always hiked to the bottom on the rock, but never knew how to get to the top.  After a tip from a coworker and watching other hikers, we made it to the top.  Here's a picture of Alyssa, Aaron, and Cole (our neighbor) next to the star.  It was a great feeling of accomplishment.  Van (the husband, not car) was stuck at the bottom with Gracie.  He did make it up on a 2nd trip with me.  I wish he was with me with the two boys though.  Boys are so reckless and fearless!  Aaron and Cole were running all over the top of the rock and making me extremely nervous! Good thing Cole had a hooded sweatshirt on.  I felt like I pulled him back from the edge too many times to count.  Needless to say, we all made it safely to the bottom.

Legos! Legos! Legos!

Aaron is obsessed with Legos.  Here is a picture of him with all his Legos and a picture of the finished product that he built tonight: a robot.  

A few weeks ago we went to a special Lego event at the Lego Store at Colorado Mills Mall.  They had Professional Brickmasters who were building an 8 foot tall R2D2.  

Don't believe he really loves Legos yet?  Check out the pictures from his 8th birthday party on Valentine's Day.  

A Lego Cake

Building Lego cars to race later

Our gallery of Lego Cars

Finally racing the Lego cars!

My first and last attempt at a homemade Lego pinata

After repeated beatings with a stick, the Pinata still would not break, so we had to beat it with a baseball bat.  

Pin the Smile on the Lego Man (Aaron's is over in the corner!)

My First Post

OK, I finally did it.  I have been toying with blogging for months now.  Please bear with me as I figure out how to do this.  Feel free to leave me comments or help me as I navigate though blogger land.