Family Jensen

Parkersburg Fun Day
May 29, 2010
Kids' Run, 5K walk

Trying not to forget...

This year Evan was old enough to do the Kids' Fun Run at the Parkersburg Fun Day. The kids were to run 400m--one lap around the track. Evan was one of the youngest...12 years old was the oldest. Evan and I went down to the track a few times the week before to practice having fun walking and running once around. I wanted him to be prepared--mentally more than physically. We had a great time chatting while mostly walking and doing some running. Honestly, I think he just wanted to make the most of his one on one time with his mom! Phillip and I were both prepared to have him back out at the last minute...and we were fine with that.
On Saturday morning Evan was excited for the race and getting a popsicle when he finished. He also informed us that "he wasn't going to give up." (I DID NOT put those words in his mouth--he must have picked them up from PBS Kids--t.v. these days!!!) We found his friend Madelyn at the starting line. I was surprise how willing he was to wait there with her. Anabel and I just stood on the inside of the track.



Evan seemed calm but you could tell he was a little bit nervous. The starter yelled, "On your marks, get set, GO!" And man, did those kids go! I turned to find Anabel and the next thing I knew I heard some one say, "There's one kid down!" and I heard Evan crying. After the pack cleared out, I saw Evan had tripped and he was very upset. I ran out to him, gave him a hug and headed off the track with him. No big deal, I was just glad he got that far. BUT his crying got louder...then after talking to him I realized he still wanted to run the race. By this time, the older kids were finishing. I handed Anabel off to Phillip. Evan grabbed my hand and off we went!! We ran the whole thing--no walking--hand in hand. AND we actually passed four kids!!!
Evan got his popsicle, a medal and a ticket for a free ice cream cone. Later he told us that "he got knocked down," and "they run on me." So the kid not only got knocked down (or tripped, we'll never know)...but also stepped on!! He had the track burns on his knees and elbows to prove it. He was pretty pumped to "not give up." We were so proud of him. I just wanted to make sure he had a good experience...not quite what I was expecting but then again, you can never predict what will happen with kids!!!
From there we did the 5K walk as a family. Yes, that means a double stroller and single stroller. We were a parade ourselves!


Here are Evan and Anabel enjoying their ice cream cones later that day...
I love how the video captures their PURE ENJOYMENT. How precious Anabel's "mmmm, mmmm" sound is. How both kids are willing to share their prize possession. How Anabel licks the ice cream from her fingers. How the ice cream drips from Evan's face. I want to soak every moment up!




pure enjoyment...