We did spend some of our Spring Break preparing for ‘Field Day’. We had the grass mowed, purchased prizes, made medals, traded emails with moms on what they could bring/how they could help, planned the flow of events.
Matthew was inspired by a children’s book on Teddy Roosevelt to have this Field Day. He planned out 15 events just like Teddy, but somehow I managed to pare it back to 5. We divided the 20 or so kids who were invited into age & sex appropriate groups. The boys took part in basketball, shot putt, crossbow, 70m dash and egg & spoon. The girls did the latter 3.
The day could not have been more beautiful as everyone arrives promptly at 10am. The sun shone, the breeze was cool, the snacks brought by friends tasty, box juices chilled.
We gathered the kids into the study for a reading of the book that inspired the day. Bigger kids sat enthralled by the wonderful tale, the little kids squirmed around listening in patches. With the rules of the day explained the first event was launched.
The kids all tried their best, some kids won many events, some, like my Lily, were just delighted to keep their egg on their spoon for the whole course. She won 3 bonze medals out of her group of 3 little girls. Yeah Lily! Not a competitive bone in her body!
Matthew aced basketball – getting 5 out of 5 shoots. But the pleasure of success didn’t last long as he bombed at crossbow. He held his own in the dash & shot putt and barely won gold in the egg & spoon (those Evans boys are a tough competition).
The Mommas and Pappas cheered, laughed, encouraged and guided their kids through a wonderful day. The kids were enthusiastic for the sport, camaraderie and competition.
We ordered pizza, which arrived promptly and was promptly devoured. Post lunch we had a fast and furious medal ceremony. The kids loved receiving their homemade gold medals as much as they liked the toys (paddleballs, water balloons, bubbles, jacks etc).
I was sad when it was over…. Perhaps we should have done another event…. At least a father son three legged race…. Perhaps a sack race…. Well there is always the Second Annual Theodore Roosevelt Field Day!
