Joshua the Triathlete

On Sunday August 24th, Joshua participated in a Kid's Triathlon. The local Parks and Rec dept organized this Kid’s Tri-for-Fun. The idea was created to promote a safe, positive and fun environment for kids to experience a traditional triathlon (swim, bike, run), with a little healthy competition. Proceeds from race participation will benefit the Firefighters Pacific Burn Institute, an organization devoted to research, treatment, and prevention of burn related injuries for children and adults.

Note: Make sure you check out Joshua's video "interview" about the tri a couple of entries down.
Waiting by the pool for his "group" to be called. They were grouped by age and the length of the swim, bike and run were based on how old the participants were. Josh participated with other 5-6 year olds.
His group is called and he patiently receives his instructions for the race.
Jesse is not so patient and pretends to sleep in the stands.
FINALLY, in the water and waiting for the horn that starts the race!

And They're Off!

The swim: 25 meters
Out of the pool and on to the "transition area" where his bike was waiting for him.
Dad helps Josh get on his t-shirt, helmet and shoes.
The bike portion: 1/2 mile.

Note: I wish I had gotten a picture of Joshua's tranistion from bike to run. John saw it and said Josh tried to "leap" off his bike while it was still moving and crashed pretty hard. He jumped up and just started to run! He really banged his knee up but only noticed after the tri was over. That's commitment to the prize! Last but not least, the run: 1/4 of a mile. You can see his knee is banged up if you look closely.

Joshua came in 5th place in his group!

The End of The Tri

In the HOME STRETCH!
Checking out his medal.
The young Triathlete!
Grandma Drinen, brother Jesse and sister Alita, part of Joshua's cheering section.

"I just wanted to get through it....."

This "interview with Josh after the kids Triathlon is a riot! He sounds like a pro athlete being interviewed by ESPN.

Laundry Prodigy

Alita is a laundry prodigy. At 15 months she can do it all except put the detergent in. You think I'm kidding? Watch the short clips below.........................

No Title Needed..................

..................sheer cuteness from her royal highness, Princess Alita. She continues to grow and develop. The kid has figured out how to snap her fingers at 15 months of age!!!!!!!!!!! Yep, I said, snap. What 15 month old knows how to snap? I guess she needed to snap in order to get her brothers and parents (in other words her servants) attention. Little Lita also is using several new words like down, up, Inono (I don't know), awdun (all done), suse (juice), cras (crackers) and yes. When she wants to say "no" she just shakes her head, usually she shakes her head violently so not to be misunderstood! She is singing along with her favorite bedtime toy a Pooh Bear that plays music. She LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to be outside and throw balls to anyone who will play with her. Alita also loves to follow mom around and imitate everything she does (sweep, cook, do the laundry, talk on the phone, etc). All in all she is doing very well!

Skater Dudes!

Jesse and Joshua have been learning to ride skateboards. Their boards used to belong to their Dad and Uncles. Yes, the skateboards have ended up in the pool, twice. Rad Dudes, shread it up!