Gray's third cross-country meet was Thursday after school. Twin Falls Middle School was their opponent. Life gets complicated though, and I didn't get to go watch it.
It seems Ryan and Emily both have/had Covid, although they really wanted to be there to support her. As they had been sick for almost a week, they felt like they were less contagious but could go and stand at a distance with masks and cheer her on. I was in charge of Kate who had crossing guard after school and then martial arts later on.
It hasn't been the best of starts for Graysen this year after having such success last year. She was beginning to lose confidence and take not winning too hard, although the last school they competed against has a huge team and do cross-country all year long, where SMS just has one quarter a year.
But she's a good runner and a fierce competitor, so I think she went into it with a good attitude.
Carly, our friend and neighbor, ran with the 6th grade team and went early, so Wes and Linda kept me up with how things were going. I'm not sure how Carly placed, although Wes mentioned more serious off-season workouts! Like they couldn't all do better! I'm sure she did fine though, and it's fun and a good experience for them. I was a little nervous when I didn't get a text when I thought Gray's race should have ended, but then Wes sent me two pictures and said, "Looks like Graysen might be gaining and might catch this kid!"
The kid is her friend Maija, and they run almost neck and neck every race. Today was no exception. Gray never exactly caught her, but there is a smiling picture where she has made a big gain and is heading for the finish line. From the pictures Emily sent me, it looked like a perfect tie, but Maija came in just ahead of Gray.
These races are so hard on them - 2 miles after a full day of school - and they get so emotional, but I think it was a happy ending. These two came in first and second, and I just don't know how the rest of the team did or if they actually won the meet - since I wasn't there, and no one wants to ask the sick people every little detail. Maybe Kate and I will get to go to the next one.
Kate came in after school and had a snack, watched a short TV show about magic - Elise and the girls are all into that but not me - and then did her stretches. We walked down to the DMW class then. She is such a joy. Any time we cross a street - twice! - she slows down and comes and stays right beside me and holds my hand. How life has changed from my holding her hand and guiding her across streets! She and Gray both are very conscious of making sure I don't hit one of those sidewalk eruptions and trip. I'm pretty concentrated on that too.
The other class was finishing up when we got there, so I found a seat and she came and stood behind me with her arms on my shoulders. Such a tough girl on the mat but such a Mimi's girl beforehand. She showed me which classmate was Juliet, the one whose mother had become my new Mah Jongg friend that very day! I introduced myself and wished her a happy birthday Saturday, and then Elissette and her husband came in, and I met him. It was nice to have someone to chat with while we watched the girls.
I am usually on the wrong side of the room, but I did get a few good pictures and maybe a video. There is a room full of kids, mainly boys and all so well-behaved and attentive. The leaders/teachers do a good job with them. The little talk before class was about bullying and how to insert yourself to give kids who are being bullied a safe place to get away.
She knows my obsession with Mr. Darcy, and if I have a favorite all-time actor, it's Colin Firth. She got another set for herself and says she'll take the Elizabeth ones for herself and let me have Mr. Darcy on both my feet. I'm not sure I can take being constantly judged by those eyes!
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