Sweet Shoppe Designs

My little girl at her first cross country meet....

Journaling reads:
We were a little surprised when you brought home the permission slip to run cross country. We tried to explain that it was a LOT of running but you were insistent that you wanted to try it. For 3 weeks you practiced running laps around the school with all the other kids from school. The track coach told us that he thought you might be able to do more and moved you up to run with the older kids. Now the mom in me came out and I truly wasn’t sure this was a good idea - but still you ran your little heart out. Finally the day of your meet came and you were extremely excited to run that day. I will admit I was worried - the weather was over 95 degrees and when we arrived at the meet - there were a lot of kids in the emergency area from falls or heat exhaustion. But still you did not seem bothered by it all. Finally your race was called and I watched you sit on the bench waiting to go out on the track and I can remember feeling little tears in my eyes praying you would be ok. You of course were happily talking to all the other girls around you! As you walked out on the track, I saw that my once shy girl was now standing with such confidence and determination - ready to just run. As soon as the gun shot was heard, I saw you racing out and then into the hills - it was about 2 minutes later before I saw a little girl that looked a lot like you and I could feel my excitement - you were going to do it! You came around the bend and then I saw you - just walking and instantly I was worried you were too tired. Then you saw me and smiled and burst into a run - I ran along side you as crazy as that sounds screaming at the top of my lungs to encourage you! You placed 14th out of 77 girls and completed the .8 miles in 7:17 minutes....and yes you got the medal you were hoping to win! The coach was so impressed with you - he invited you to another meet in a few weeks to run with 5th graders! So that means more running....and we can't be more prouder of you Hayley! Congratulations for doing what you enjoy doing and showing us that you are one tough 3rd grader!



Credits:
- Fighting Gravity kit by by Scrapkitchen Designs & Melissa Bennett
- Clippings [define: faith] by Lauren Reid
- journal strips by Lauren Grier
- paint splats by Anna Aspnes
- template from 10/2 SSD Challenge by Nikki Hawkins (modified)