Our Wild Kidz Tri - and WIN!

This weekend we traveled to Alexandria, LA for Huntie and Michael's first ever kids' triathlon - the Wild Kidz Tri.

Here we are at packet pickup.

Body marking was pretty awesome - permanent marker ON the skin. Huntie was #28, as noted on her upper arms and just above her knees.

Michael was #11.

Of course, we couldn't leave Elle out. She got a "1" on her calf - where they marker the competitor's age.

Here they are, my one-year-old, five-year-old and eight-year-old.

I don't think Kevin could have possibly been prouder. He showed Huntie the swim course, then stood back beaming as she swam faster than she had ever swam before.

Ok, I seriously had tears in my eyes I was so proud of Huntie. She swam the 100 yards so well and pushed herself. She stayed with the pack and did GREAT!

Transition 1. Ready for the 3-mile bike.

After the bike, Huntie was like a machine. Nothing could stop her. She quickly parked her bike in transition 2 and headed off for the run. Her daddy ran beside her the whole .6-mile course cheering her on.

Huntie's FINISH!!

Man, she is so amazing!

Huntie reporting her success to eagerly awaiting grandparents.

Woo! Michael's turn. Huntie was in the group just before Michael's. She was so quick she finished in time to see Michael's start. Here he is getting his timing chip.

Michael in the water as his fellow floatie-clad competitors look on:

This boy has never swam like this in his life. He kept his face down and swam as hard as he possibly could for the entire 25 yards.

Transition 1.

Off onto the .5 mile-bike course.

Transition 2 was quick and didn't slow Michael down a second. Now off to the quarter-mile run.

Michael ran so fast Kevin said he struggled to keep up with him. About 20 yards before the finish, Michael looked at Kevin and said, "Dad, I quit." Kevin showed him he was almost there, and he picked up his pace again and zoomed across the finish line. Huntie thought he didn't even look tired.

Michael's FINISH!!

Our two little triathletes.

Michael calls in his results.

Now we get to wait for the awards.

Elle seemed to be the most tired of us all. Megan was our superstar today. She kept Elle entertained and safe so Kevin and I could help Michael and Huntie in their racing. Thanks Meg!!

I love it!

Our dear Dora the Explorer fan extraordinaire Elle is so hilariously articulate. While shopping this week, we came across a Dora-themed stroller. I held it up to show Elle and she exclaimed with true sincerity, "I LOVE IT!" It was so cute coming out of her 21-month-old mouth. She was so certain about her feelings and so clear in expressing them. I loved it!

The Rangers are #1, just like Michael!

Here they are - the Rangers, Michael's first Tball team ever. Michael had great coaches and a super fun season. He's excited to play again, something I wasn't sure would be true when the season began. He felt very proud to have grammy, papa, Aunt Sally, Uncle Greg, Aunt Jenn and Scottie come see him play. Coleen and David we're diligent fans too. They even got to see Michael play catcher - a role he really loved. Kevin thinks it's because he was safe behind all the gear. Lol. Kevin was an all-star catcher growing up. Maybe it's in their blood.

The Best Sleepover Ever

Our dear friend Quinn is sleeping over for a few nights this week. She and Huntie decided on a great bedtime story tonight. These are the best sleepovers ever. What good girls.

Sleeping Beauty

Yep, that's Michael in bed as I vacuum his floor. His has an impressive talent. Once he feels like he's tired, he puts himself to bed and he's OUT, as you can see.

Sleep my littl angle, sleep. Lol, poor kid. How we touture our offspring, huh. I know, what doesn't kill them only makes them stronger. Maybe that's why my kids are so tough. ?

Kevin Voisin for Council!

Kevin Voisin - Stand for Something. Sound familiar? Yeah, it's a good slogan. Today Kevin offically announced he is running for Terrbonne Parish Council District 6. Here is the press release he distributed today.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KEVIN M. VOISIN FOR TERREBONNE PARISH COUNCIL DISTRICT SIX

HOUMA, Louisiana - Kevin M. Voisin, announced his candidacy for the Terrebonne Parish Council District Six. This lifelong resident of Terrebonne Parish plans to make ideas into reality. In making his announcement he issued a call to action: “Stand for Something!”

“With the untimely death of Leland Robichaux, this district needs someone to stand up and act. We have talked around and examined our major problems for decades. As councilman I will stand for the best interests of District Six and I will not sit down until those interests are being met with tangible progress. I look forward to working with the Claudet administration in bringing a new day to Terrebonne,” said Voisin.

“Coastal restoration, levees and drainage are easily the most important issues facing the council today. These issues are priorities that directly and dramatically affect our homes, businesses, and livelihoods. Barrier islands and levees protect us all while proper drainage protects each of us individually. Both systems are essential and need complete and consistent attention”, said Voisin.

Voisin continued, “Terrebonne Parish is flourishing! We have made small steps to improving the infrastructure in the Parish, but the time has come for a more focused effort at building ‘Actual Size’ infrastructure that the Parish is going to need heading into the next 20 years. I will not stand for infrastructure that is too small the day it is completed. I will support the four-laning of New Orleans Blvd (LA-182) all the way to Prospect Street, of Hwy 311, and of Valhi all the way to Savanne Road.

“Throughout my travels across our nation and to over a dozen countries on five different continents, I have seen many sites, but few compare to the beauty of Terrebonne Parish. I will stand for showcasing this beauty by constructing more parks, biking/walking trails, and green spaces for our citizens and visitors to enjoy.

“I will be a tool in the hands of my constituents - a tool that should listen and act much more than he should talk. I look forward to hearing the needs of the district directly from the people and to standing as their watchman. Effective communication and decisive action will be hallmarks of my leadership as a councilman”, concluded Voisin.

For more information about Kevin Voisin’s Stand for Terrebonne Parish, please visit his website at http://www.kevinvoisin.com/ for continuing updates.

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The Bostonians

Kevin and I just came back from being in Boston with our oldest and very mature child - our beloved Huntie. We had just greatest time ever showing her our favorite places and things in Boston and made a bunch of new memories for the first time together. We stayed a new hotel in a new part of Boston. We rode the T to our favorite place in Brookline, ate a new favorite sushi (saki papaya maki), bought shoes at our favorite shoe store Shooz on Harvard Street, got ice cream at our favorite ice cream place JP Licks, ate famous chocolate mousse cannolies at Mike's Pastry on Hanover Street in "Little Italy," were at The Garden the night of the NBA finals when the Celtics beat the Lakers (although we didn't go in), visited the Boston Museum of Science for the first time where we watched baby chicks hatch and Huntie participated in a study for the Boston Children's Hospital, took the Boston Duck Tour for the first time during which Huntie actually got to DRIVE the Duck in the Charles River, and MORE - all in less than 3 days. We had such a fantastic time.

In the airport coming to Boston.

The view from our hotel - the Charles River.

Huntie and Kev in front of The Garden and the GIANT NBA Championship trophy, just before the game was to start.

Huntie waiting for the T.

Sushi!! Yum!

Dang, I look tan in this picture!

Huntie modeling her new star-spangled Converses from Shooz. She sure has good taste. What a classic.

We rode home with many Red Sox fans just after the game let out. Huntie liked the T until she felt it's crushing power. Hee hee hee, still so fun!

All three of us in front of the NBA trophy again, just moments before the Boston Celtics beat the LA Lakers. Like our shirts? We couldn't resist the pun.

Goggle Girl

Apparently the goggles really help. She actually requested they be put on. I have to admit, she DOES look fantastic in them.