Up for the Challenge

Jason and I spent most of the summer training for another of triathlon. It is so great to enjoy that goal as a couple! I felt ready for the race, though he didn't feel as good about it this year. However, we both did better than our times last year! Jason's time was 4 minutes faster and mine was two, so he did better than he thought he would!! This year my mom was here which made it more fun. She and Erik came to the race to be our cheerleaders. Since it was on a Wednesday night Victoria had Young Woman's and Austin had scouts. They had decided they wanted to go to the church instead of the race. I got them rides there and home, so they were in good hands. Karissa had cheer practice, so that's where she was.

This year we participated in the August race, instead of July, so the sun was setting sooner and it happened to be a nicer day, which made for pleasant weather! I had decided to only do breast stroke this time, and that's how I trained. It is slower than freestyle, but I actually took about a minute off my swim time because I trained that way and then I didn't need to waste my time freaking out in the water with all those people around me and getting confused with my head in the water at the lake.

This was the T-REx race, so lots of dinosaurs for decor.

Our cheerleaders.

Jason finishing up!

We did it!!

The next day, we held a lemonade stand/garage sale that the kids and I had been planning on doing for months. We planned it in conjunction with our subdivision garage sale, particularly with our corner neighbor, Barb, who always does garage sales. Victoria is going to Washington DC for her 8th grade field trip, in October. She didn't do very well in the school fundraisers (who does, really?), so we decided that a lemonade stand could be a good way to earn money without asking for a lot from one person and we get all the profit (minus the small amount it costs for the supplies). All the kids were excited to contribute. Karissa's going on a two night YMCA field trip, so some of the money will go to her trip as well, but the boys, they wanted to be a part of it, even though they're not going on any big field trips like that.

I was impressed with the work the kids put into it and the amount of time required to stay outside. They took turns advertising at the corner of the street with a sign and staying at the table. My mom and I stayed in my driveway with my garage sale items (which we only sold one of, though I didn't have much out) and the kids were one house away at the corner of the cul-de-sac in front of Barb's so they could do the work. We were touched by the contributions people made. We specified that it was for donations only for the field trips. Along with the lemonade we sold my homemade banana chocolate chip muffins. Most people bought one or both, but some just donated. One lady stopped in the middle of the cul-de-sac, handed out a bill, and drove away. The kids were very gracious to everyone. Barb's lawn service man gave $10! I couldn't believe the generosity. On Thursday they made $86! Friday only brought $10, so we closed early, but that was an amazing amount! We will do it again some day!

Erik was our taste tester. 

And he pretended to buy stuff from my little garage sale.

Happy sales people!