When the PTA announced they would be holding only one fundraiser this year I think I inwardly cheered. When I heard that their one fundraiser would be a 5K/1K Fun Run, I'm fairly certain I cheered out loud. Not because it involved running (ewww) but because there would be no selling involved. Yippee!
I presented the idea of our family participating in the 1K Fun Run and was greeted with six enthusiastic thumbs-up from the little ones.
In hindsight, I suppose I should have known an 8am race was a bad idea for at least one of my children. But the "FUN" in Fun Run must have confused my already-impaired memory. So, at 7:20am, Ian and I prodded the offspring awake and dressed them in their race-day paraphernalia:
The 2 year old was happy. The 5 year old appeared out-of-sorts while the 7 year old appeared content. Then the whistle blew. I found myself watching Lindy S L O W L Y plod her way across the starting line. I panicked as it occurred to me that the next FUN Run wouldn't begin until the last 2nd to 4th grader passed the finish line. But in spite of (or perhaps because of) my best attempts at encouragement...followed by some fantastic threats...she would not be moved.
I was forced to leave Ian (who was busy with a still-happy two year old) in charge of the disinclined Lindy...partly due to the hopelessness of our mother-daughter dynamic, but mostly because we had lost Ellie.
Ellie surprised us all by running her heart out. The entire way. By herself. Not only did she come in way ahead of the rest of the Jones family, she also managed to beat a few students!
Then promptly had an asthma attack.
Lindy had to be literally DRAGGED across the finish line by her father.
And was decidedly unimpressed with the accolades (and ribbon) she then received.
What I learned today:
- Fun Run does not necessarily equal Fun. Especially if it also involves mornings.
- Racing numbers do not necessarily inspire good racing attitudes.
- I should never be in charge of motivating my daughter.
- We should always bring Ellie's inhaler.
- Next year I'm handing them a check...then happily sleeping in.
2 comments:
It is so late right now...I need to be in bed, but luckily, I read your blog before I went...and LAUGHED MY BUTT OFF!!!! I seriously laughed out loud that blog was so funny...
Thank you...I needed that.
We didnt go. I handed them a check and stayed home. My kiddos came home with their shirts today. I did have a lot going on that day. So glad that you went and supported! I am so glad I don't have to sell anything this year. Yay!
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