Family Olympics Fun Day

There can be a lot of fighting in a big family (and in small ones, too, I'm sure), so it's that much more sweet when there is a really fun family event.

Several days earlier, our children had spontaneously hatched a plan to host a Family Olympics Fun Day. I don't even know who started it, but I soon noticed them all operating cooperatively, going here, there, and everywhere to plan this thing. I knew we were busy for a few days, so I reserved Saturday afternoon for the grand event.

I missed the Opening Ceremonies (while I was laying down the two-year-old for nap--they started without me!), but this is the proclamation Mary wrote for delivery:

Dear Citizens of Leafington and Panthersville, Lend me your ears. Today is the first day of advent and it is Olympics fun day! Some activities we will be doing today are Foot Races, Gymnastics, and BMX Races. We also have a donation box over by the table with our judge. Please put any amount between twenty cents or one dollar in. This money will be given to the winner of our grand prize. And remember we are doing this for fun, not for competition. And for the winners, please do not brag. And to the people who didn’t win the grand prize, do not be a sore loser. Now let Olympics Fun Day begin! From Mary Lauer President of Leafington.

Five events were planned:

• Scavanger Hunt
• Baseball
• BMX races
• Foot races
• Gynmastics

I arrived on the scene with my baby and my camera . . . 

Baseball

BMX Races

There is a really cool track through our leaf pile, and "towns" called Leafington and Pantherville. I didn't get good pics.

Foot Races

We experienced emotional drama during the foot races when one contestant started with enthusiasm . . .

. . . and then tripped, fell dramatically, and emotions were crushed. The contestant couldn't rally!

Like out of a movie, the heroic, devoted daddy rushed in like a knight on a white horse! He picked up the emotionally deflated contestant and carried her through the race course, to cheering by all!

This is love in action, folks! That sad little girl was smiling ear to ear and feeling so loved. Young ladies: this is one wonderful trait to look for in the men you're dating!

Gymnastics

Closing Ceremonies

Each person won one event--funny how the judges decided that--and earned a prize of two quarters and a chocolate coin. (The children had collected their own allowance monies into a pot to be given as prizes.)

A certain contestant was doing her best not to be a sore loser but wasn't quite ready to be a part of the closing ceremonies.

Our day concluded with hot dogs roasted over the bonfire, and eating dinner outdoors on the deck. It was so joy-filled!