Big Muddy Challenge - Go Muddy Minions!!

This morning was THE day Eli had been waiting for. He and Cole have watched Tim and I participate in various mud / obstacle course runs so when we found out about the Big Muddy Challenge, we had to sign Tim & Eli up!! It's a parent / child / family mud run with obstacles - about 2 miles or so and 12 obstacles. You've got to be 6 to do the run so Cole & I were the cheering crew this year....but next year FAMILY EVENT!! 

Eli decided their team name would be the Muddy Minions - I think we had to put that when we registered so of course, we had to make a team sign! 

We headed out this morning to check in and make sure they were good to go. Eli wore his Minion shirt that he got for his birthday and we found Tim a bright yellow shirt so they'd match. 

Headed to check in

This family was awesome. There were several dads dressed like the girls. And I noticed that they made the cover of the Big Muddy webpage. Go Dad!!

Go Muddy Minions!!

After checking in, we had some time before their start so Eli & Cole got to enjoy playing around Hill Ridge Farms. 

The corrugated pipe slide is always fun!

They were so funny going down together. 

A little hay bale maze running - they decided to run on top of the maze instead of in it. 

Our friends Abby and her mom Susan. Their start time was after us. It was great to see them! 

And then it was almost time to go - START line!

Can you see the Muddy Minions in there? 

They started with a short run jumping over hay bales before the first obstacle. 

Cole & I hung out and explored while walking where we could to watch the course. We couldn't see all the obstacles but walked to the ones we could see. 

Cheering crew

Every little boy's dream - a mud slide into a pool of mud water. 

Strategy talk....

1...2...3...GO!!

Sliding while being sprayed with mud

Happy Muddy Minions

Followed by a walk in the pond to clean up

This was one obstacle that Eli was faster than Tim on! 

Final obstacle

Through the ropes and the mud pit.

And to the finish!

My Muddy Minions - really muddy now!

That is one happy muddy little boy. =) 

That sweet muddy face

But all good muddy things must come to an end. 

A good washing by garden hose. 

Eli was so happy sporting his Finisher shirt. 

Cole was ready to go play more

Much happier when we let them play in the corn kernel house

Brother fun

More sliding....this time Cole went solo! 

And a final round on top of the maze

It was such a fun event and fun day. We're glad to have something this cool near us and we're looking forward to when we can ALL do it together as a family. Got to start thinking of our team name and costumes! Eli especially is super jazzed. I mean, permission to play in the mud....what little boy wouldn't be happy?!! 

Great job Muddy Minions! 

1st Day of School - 2nd Grade and Kindergarten!!

1st Day of School - hard to believe we are really here!! The boys are going to be back under the same roof (woo hoo!) and we will be finished with daycare (cha-ching $$!). 

Monday, Eli started 2nd grade. New backpack-check, new lunchbox - check, wear my new triathlon shirt - check, good attitude and ready to go - check!! It's going to be a great year! 

1st day of 2nd grade for Eli. Cole starting his last week of preschool. 

So big!! He made his own 1st day of school sign. 

Showing off his new backpack. 

This was a cool frame they did at Before School Care and then sent me the picture. Love it! 

Today, Cole had his staggered entry day. In Kindergarten, the kids only go one day the first week. The day of the week is based on your last name and kids go Monday-Thursday. Then Friday, you get to meet your teacher. During that day, they assess the kids and see where they are coming into Kindergarten. Cole had a super awesome day. He was excited to be at the same school as Eli and he just seemed like such a big boy. When I picked him up after school as a "walker", he was so happy and full of energy. I asked him how Kindergarten was and he told me that he "ROCKED IT!". His response and excitement made me so happy. He even told me that he would go back. Whew. Glad that's not an issue. =) 

1st day of K - Cole made his sign. 

Eli was so funny being the "big brother" and wanting to be in all of Cole's pictures. 

My baby is growing fast! 

I am a Kindergartener!! 

They would only let me get "my" pictures if I let them do their silly pictures. 

And they do silly really well!! 

DUDE! You're headed to Kindergarten!! 

New big boy backpack and lunch box. 

All ready!

I got this Mom. See ya after school. Have a great day! 

After school....after he "rocked it"

The cuteness kills me! 

Cole went to Kindergarten and came home a NINJA!! He has been trying to stick the doorframe for a while now and all of a sudden, he got it today! Can you tell he's happy?!