Toy Story 2

This was the families 7th annual pumpkin carving contest party. Our family did the Toy Story two theme this year. We chose this because that is Jack's new favorite movie. Rylee was Little Bo Peep, Raygen was Jessie and Jack was Woody, of course. I worked on the costumes for about a week and lost a lot of skin due to glue gun injuries not to mention the numerous pokes from the needles. However, I was happy with the results. We won the costume contest. Jenny Jensen says she is going to learn to sew and give me a run for my money. I would love the challenge.

This year Tracy struggled with an idea and had no plans for a pumpkin. He won best overall much to his brother Mark's disappointment. Mark usually only feels he is truly in competition with Tracy. Mark still won most creative but this did not satisfy him. The next day our girls had a message on the answering machine saying how their dad is going down next year. I am glad the children have such wonderful examples of good sportsmanship! Tracy thought this was hilarious because he put little effort into this pumpkin. I must say it was the most clean cut of all the pumpkins.

Raygen's Triatholon

This was Raygen's third City of Las Vegas Triathlon. She loves participating in the event. I don't think its because she feels she needs to win, but she feels proud that she'd able to try her best and loves the support her mom & dad gives her.

At the completion of each years event, she discusses what she would like to work on to improve her performance in anticipation for the following year.

After her first triathlon, we worked on riding the bike in a standing position to increase speed. This past year, we worked on swimming and the technique of a proper freestyle swim. This coming year she wants to work on running agility. This seemed to have been her most challenging leg of the event this year.

Regardless of technique and agility though, we teach her that winning against the other competitors is not he point of doing this. Its the challenge of starting what you finish that is most important. Every year thus far, I lay in bed with her the night before the big race and read the same story to her. Many people are familiar with it... it is called "The Race". Its about a boy and his struggle to compete in a race. He keeps stumbling and falling to the ground. After falling four times he is ready to quit. All the other competitors have already crossed the finish when the boy crosses in last place. To listen to the crowd cheer for him you would have thought he'd won the race.

I read this to her ensure she understands its most important finish than it is to win. I love her so much and I know that she is fully capable to do anything.