The Accidental Boilermaker

 Tonight was the final 1.2 mile run for the Fort4fitness kids marathon. The run this year felt smaller, but this was our first in person final mile in three years. It was also Jameson’s first in person final mile. He did not want to wear his race shirt. Jameson and Nate started off fast. Evelyn and I got stuck behind a few people, but we slowly picked up speed. At about 0.8 miles we had caught up to Jameson. Jameson speed ahead but Evelyn’s steady pace served her in the end and she managed to finish just ahead of him at the finish. Final time was 10:23.

 Evelyn and Jameson’s school was named a blue ribbon school by the department of education. They were 1 of 10 schools in Indiana and 1 of 297 nation wide. The ceremony was today and parents were invited, plus your child was dismissed from the assembly to go home with you.  This was especially helpful for me in terms of getting to cross country on time without being rushed. It was a very nice ceremony.  The best part was when the former principal (when Evelyn was in kindergarten and first grade) arrived and all the kids started cheering and clapping   Cross country city finals were tonight. Jameson finished 31st overall out of 1st and 2nd grade boys and girls (about 96 kids). He placed 5th out of 1st grade boys with a 1 kilometer time of 4:36. I think he was disappointed he didn’t finish top 3 and win a trophy, but he quickly got over it.  Evelyn finished 34th out of 3rd-5th grade girls, about 72 runners. She placed 9th out of 3rd grade girls with a 1 mile time o...

 Today was an eventful day. Jameson and Evelyn’s piano teacher found us a free piano at her church and she has been stressing how important a real piano is for their development. So we said yes, we would take the piano. Nate got together a few friends (one with a truck) and they moved the piano this morning. Nate and I agreed, before the piano arrived, we needed to paint the living room. It took a while to decide on colors, so everything came down to the last minute. We spent several late nights this past week taping, painting, cleaning and rearranging, but we are very happy with the end result.  This evening we had friends over for a backyard mini bonfire. We had hot dogs and chips and s’mores. The kids ran around and played games, mostly soccer.

Evelyn and Jameson both qualified for cross country city finals. Top 12 finishers, boys and girls, in every grade get to run one last time next Monday. Jameson shaved 27 seconds off his 1 km time and finished 16th out of all 1st and 2nd grade boys and girls. He placed 4th out of 1st grade boys. He told me he likes cross country best, over soccer and basketball. Evelyn had a good race too. She ran 5 seconds faster than last week and also finished 16th out of 3rd-5th grade girls. She took 5th out of 3rd grade girls. Six other 3rd grade girls from Croninger also qualified for the finals. 

 This morning we went to the zoo for Dino days. Kate unfortunately didn’t join us; she woke up with a bad headache. Thankfully she was feeling much better when we came back home.  The dinosaurs were cool, but the lines to wait and take a picture with them were crazy. Other than the two small ones that we just happened to be in the right spot at the right time, we looked at the dinos from as close as we could get.  It was a beautiful day to be outside so we did see lots of zoo animals too.  We caught Evelyn and Jameson holding hands.  Can’t leave the zoo without getting a picture on the sign. 

 Katherine is here for the weekend. She arrived Thursday night as a surprise for Evelyn and Jameson. Jameson had another soccer game Saturday morning. He scored a few goals and did a good job as goalie stopping goals.  Then we went to the library for a Frida for all event. There were local Latinx artists showing their art work and individuals from that disabled community sharing about different resources.  Evelyn participated in the Frida look a like contest.  Saturday night, Kate and I went to see Jurassic Park in concert. It was at the amphitheater and the movie was projected on the big screen while the Fort Wayne philharmonic played the music. It was a beautiful night to be outside and the music was incredible. I kept trying to watch the movie and the musicians at the same time. The atmosphere was really fun too. People cheering and clapping and laughing. 

 Evelyn and Jameson had their first official elementary cross country meet of the season. They both looked good and had good races. Jameson finished 34th out of all first and second grade girls and boys. He placed 10th for first grade boys and his kilometer time was 4:59. Evelyn placed 20th out of all third and fifth grade girls.  She took 4th for third grade girls with a mile time of 8:33.  Nate was able to leave work 30 minutes early and saw both their races.  After cross country it was straight to piano practice. 

 It was a busy, but fun filled weekend. Oma, Grandpa and Mimi came over for weekend of backyard camping. We couldn’t find a good time or campground to visit one last time so my dad suggested we just camp out in the backyard. It worked out really well.  We cooked and ate and slept outside. The first night Evelyn and Jameson slept in Nate’s old backpacking tent since it wasn’t going to rain. Saturday was Jameson’s first soccer game. It is a rec soccer league so they don’t keep track of score or team wins and losses. We of course kept track of Jameson’s goals and he got three. 

Soccer started today for Jameson and Evelyn had a cross country race. She had a good race. She started toward the back of the group and then finished 8th out of all 3rd-5th grade girls.  Jameson missed the three way cross country meet, but it sounded like he had a fun time at soccer.