Kids!

When you have children, it's always heartwarming for them to have major accomplishments: Through the years, we've had a lot of things to celebrate:

Perfect attendance, good citizenship, and graduation awards from many schools. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, cheerleading. Dance and gymnastics recitals. Baseball games, honor rolls, literary awards, college acceptance, and many graduations, weddings and jobs acquired. Lots to be proud of.

So it's with overflowing emotion that I boast about our younger daughter's latest award.

This is an article that Mike sent me today:

Scavenger Dash Seattle community involvement: YMCA

What Happened?:

What a beautiful day to send 24 teams out in search of mummies, a gum wall and the world’s largest collection of giant shoes. Brothers Tad and Toby Doviak of “Tad Needs A Job” took first place with a time of 1:44, but Tad is still looking for a job. As for the costume contest, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind who would win. Congrats to “The Flaming Retardants”, Anne Kertson and Emily Windham for the killer costumes! Scavenger Dash would like to send out a big thank you to Tap House for hosting Seattle’s first Scavenger Dash. We had a great time exploring your city. See you next fall, Seattle!

Second flaming legs from the right.

They had a ball thinking up the costumes after Ryan accidentally named them by seeing Flame Retardant on something in the kitchen. Anne discovered the tights at the fabric shop, and they made the capes and decorated the shirt and capes with felt and duct tape. Oh, and the arm tattoos; can't forget those.

Co-workers Stacey and Melinda came in ahead of them by 5 minutes at 6th place, but 7th out of 24 is not so bad when you consider a little over a year ago, Emily had never been to Seattle. They not only had to figure out a cryptic clue but had to find the location, collect the prizes, and get back to the beginning. There are just a few people in the world who thrive on looking ridiculous and causing people to stop in their tracks and stare and point, and there's never been any doubt we have at least one in our family. Debby thinks 2!

Some other names of the teams. I'd like to see more pictures of the costumes.

Tad Needs A Job
Dig 'N Biz
Ham & Cheese
The Sanely Inane
Got Pain? (Physical therapy co-workers. Good name)
Flaming Retardants
No, You go first
Mad DC Dashers
The After School Specials
Double Dips
Ice Weasels
SpyFox
Lost Cause
No Expectations
Team Sawyer

Here's another close-up. Emily and Anne. You can partly see Anne's "dragon tattoo."

At the other end of the spectrum, I received this precious picture from Lydia of Jacob's school picture. What a sweetie. I know they wish time would slow down and keep him this age for awhile.

Mama and I went shopping yesterday for gifts for Operation Christmas Child boxes through our church. I chose a boy, and it was hard for me not to over buy. I kept finding things I liked, although I have no idea what type of child will get the box, and I'm a little out of practice in knowing what boys like. Maybe I should ask Jacob next time! There are some little Scooby-Doo balls and Lego's that aren't in the picture. And we'll add candy and gum before we turn them in.

Mama chose a girl. I hope she's a girly-girl because she picked a lot of pink and princess things.
It was fun, and now I've found out that we can fill plastic boxes in addition, so I may have to go shopping again. The Target $1 bins are wonderful for things like this. I never pass them up without buying at least one thing.