Dragon Triathlon

Last weekend the boys participated in the ASD Dragon Triathlon.  We didn't really give them the option not to participate.  Just sounded like a great opportunity.  I mean, I don't want to sign myself up but why not throw my kids into it! 

The tag line was "Just Tri It"...so they did!  Brooks was a little apprehensive but Barrett was all in from the beginning.  As we got closer they got more excited and geared up!  

This event and entire morning totally exceeded all of our expectations. There were no prizes (other than a certificate) but the self confidence and pride alone was awesome!  Talent and athletic ability had nothing to do with it.  It was just about participating and finishing the race.

All of the parents were hilarious...so proud and running everywhere trying to keep up with their little athlete so they could encourage, take pictures and totally exhaust themselves!  We were all a little over the top and bursting with pride!  I guess team sports keep you from getting too physically close but for this individual  business, we all couldn't help but be doing it right along with them!

Picture heavy because I just couldn't stand it and we were so proud!

Each athlete could pick a special transition area marked off for all of their stuff.

Brooks all set and ready to get going.

 

Brooks and Emery waiting for their age division to start.

Little bro waiting to watch Brooks start the swimming portion of the race

Next in the pool...

 Almost finished with the swimming...

  BIKE

Transition area for dropping the bike and a quick squirt of water from Daddy before the run. 

 FINISH LINE!

Both boys reported that it was really hard but they loved it. 

Next up...killer shark ready to swim! 

 

6 and under division getting organized...kinda like herding cats!

Hum...no one else's daddy is around but someone had a major goggle catastrophe. 

 SHARK attack!

 

I was so caught up in the moment, I wasn't paying attention to my camera setting so these pictures aren't great but I love this of Bear.  Running like a mad man with a spring in his step to the transition area.

Barrett was randomly in the very last heat of his division so he had a huge fan club to help him finish.  I love our little Doha family...the Harris's and Austins were big cheerleaders! 

 Mr. Brad sending him off

You can see Barrett's fan club running along with him while he bikes! 

 FINISH LINE for Barrett!!

 Doha Cuzzies!

 What a fun experience for all of us.  There were over 350 athletes from ages 4 to adult.  The PE staff and volunteers put on an amazing event. It was so well organized and planned.  Also really thankful we left little sister with the babysitter that morning.  whew! 

So proud of our boys!

More Celebrating!!

Just a few days before Barrett's birthday Nick was offered a new job with our current company but across the ocean in Houston.  So he dashed out of Doha asap to check things out. 
(more on that exciting news later!)

We were all sad that he would be missing Barrett's birthday but there are great adventures on the horizon so we let him go! 

Started off with a little sugar to get things going on March 2nd!! 

Barrett's birthday fell on a Saturday, which happened to be the same day we were in charge of snacks for the soccer game. Donuts and orange slices of course. 

After our game we went to Chili's for a birthday lunch!

 Lunching with the Harris Fam!

  

Digging in!

On Sunday we celebrated AGAIN at school. Barrett's teacher interviewed me about Barrett's arrival into our lives 6 years ago.   Cute to see those little people so interested in what Barrett was like as a baby. I went ahead and said how much he cried and cried and cried and cried!

 Handing out #6 cookies

 Sister and Bear

 And finally Daddy arrived back home from Houston at the end of the week so we had a little family celebration with presents from the USA. 

  

Gotta love these straws Honey gave the kids! So hysterically funny! 

 And last but not least we let Barrett open one really special present...announcing baby Junod #4. 

Barrett's Art Party

Last week was Barrett's 6th birthday!  We put off a family celebration until Daddy was back in town from Houston and just celebrated all week long with friends and other activities.  The big party day was on Tuesday after school.  Bear is always easy going when it comes to opinions. He's not demanding and usually doesn't mind just tagging along with whatever everyone is doing.  But for a birthday, you should have some opinions!  We finally landed on something he was excited about.  He LOVES art at school and keeps bringing home the most beautiful little masterpieces.  So we decided to have an art party. Tried to keep things from being a rainbow or girl looking party and I think it was a success. We kept the numbers down and had the best time.  Everyone invited stayed really interested and seemed to enjoy it.  Thank goodness I had some extra helping hands to make things possible!

 First up a little outdoor painting

 Smocks are a good idea but seriously...its just impossible for little boys to keep paint off clothes and faces.

 Beautiful art work by Brooks, Christoph and Barrett

 Barrett and his best bud Cres

One of my friends from church, Whitney is an incredible artist.  She just started a business here in Doha, so I asked her to come help with the party. She was very excited for us to be her very first kids' party.  She was so great with the kids and obviously we had a wide range of talent :)  She brought everything for the canvas painting and I didn't have to worry about any details. 

 Gabi

 While the girls painted, the boys worked on plates with permanent/Sharpie marker.  This was a Pinterest idea which FAILED!!  I baked the plates after the party and the marker still washed and smeared off. Boo!  But still a fun activity.  Just don't eat on the plate. 

 

We took a little break to have a snack. 

Birthday Boy!

 

Just about a week before Barrett's birthday he came home from school with these 2 pieces of art!  I was thrilled to have a centerpiece for his party and pretty impressed with kindergarten art from little Bear.  

Morgie and Georgie

 Girls had their turn at the plates.

 Then the boys had their turn with Mrs. Whitney!

 

 Singing happy birthday! Paint pallet mini cupcakes for everyone.

 The Masterpieces!!

Presents! 

Giving some thank you hugs to Mrs. Gena for the remote control car.  She was such a little worker bee at the party too!  So thankful! 

 

I can't miss the mark of Barrett taking the initiative to cut his own hair.  Its pretty obvious in every picture.  But we love him just the same...especially Georgia!  

 Paintbrush rice crispy treats for the taking and eating!

 Party favors

 Brooks snapped this pic of me and little Bear.  So incredibly thankful to be blessed by such a sweet spirited thing.  We had a great afternoon celebrating such a special gift God's given our family!