One of the many areas that school funding has been cut during the recession has been the art program. One of the ways that our school earns money to provide art programs for the children is to have a "Run for the Arts" each year. The kids get pledges for each lap that they run (in a 30 minute time frame) and it funds an "Artist in Residence" program that the PTA heads up. They bring in artists that do different things with the kids (One of the programs this year was the "Tears of Joy" puppet theater where the kids made puppets and did puppet shows with Native American themes. It was great!)
My boys aren't that into sports, but they love to run! So they were both excited about this and I have to say, after years of watching them play in the dirt at Little League and daydream and hang from the goal post in soccer, it was fun to see some drive and determination in them!
First grade was up first. Here they are lined u and ready to go!
And they're off!!
I look at this picture and just think, "I love my boy."
The kids have numbers pinned to their back and as they complete a lap the parent volunteers tally the laps on their back.
There was a refreshment station set up where the kids could stop and get drinks during/after running. Kaitlin LOVED helping the mommies fill it up. When we arrived there wasn't enough help so we jumped in and got to work and ended up coming back to help later. Kitti did great!
Andrew was so determined and wouldn't stop for a drink. I snapped this as he ran by "4 laps!" (3 laps to a mile on this track).
Andrew ran so hard the whole time. He did great!
Here are a couple of Andrew's friends...John saying he ran 2 laps and Aiden getting refreshment.
Andrew did great, running seven laps! One of the highest for his grade!
This cutie was up later in the day.
He too, ran really hard refusing to stop for a drink. I was very proud of his determination. He ran 11 laps! Also one of the best for his grade.
Bridger is one of Matthew's best friends. His Mom Jina, was marking tags with me.
The kids got Popsicle as a treat when they were done running. The 3 boys to the right of Matthew are William, Stephen and Edoardo. Good friends of Matthew's.
Matthew was playing with Kitti when he was done and I snapped this photo.
I just love it.
