Behind, Behind ... Trike-A-Thon

LAST Friday, Ellie's preschool had their Trike-a-thon for St. Jude's. It was in the gym, so I'll apologize in advance for the photo quality. Was running late and forgot to set the camera for florescent lighting. Even editing hasn't helped much.

MeeMee and Josh came (Josh was very WILLING to leave school early) to watch/support/cheer on Ellie in her tricycle endeavors.

I came in (late, as usual) as they were lining up and Ellie was refusing to wear her helmet. Now, some history on the helmet is in order. Our neighbors, Trish and Lexi, gave her the helmet. She wanted a Dora helmet, so we added some really cool puffy Dora stickers and she has been wearing the heck out of this helmet all week long. THEN... when she realizes she has to wear it, NO GO!! Now, to her credit, it was nap time and she was T.I.R.E.D, but still. Finally, after everyone waited, I pulled her to the side and told her she couldn't ride because she wasn't going to wear a helmet. That seemed to jump start her into action and off we went to the starting line-up.

The ride was 20 minutes long. Ellie never properly pedaled her trike, I don't think, but she did some serious Fred Flintstone foot pedaling. You'll note in her pictures that her shoes are on the wrong feet -- makes it just a touch more sweet, don't you think?

Afterwards, we headed over to McDonalds for lunch and some ice cream before she passed out from exhaustion.

Thanks to our friend, Tom, up in East Tennessee, and lots of folks from the ballpark, Ellie raised $120 for St. Jude's Hospital! Way to go, Ellie. Thank you friends!!

And, of course, a little photo expose of the day:

Getting ready for the day!


A little early morning practicing:


I LOVE this picture:


I seriously think she should be a poster child for the Trike-a-thon, but then I'm biased!


And then the fighting over the helmet begins:


Finally resolved and bringing up the rear is ... Ellie!


Ellie has the BEST brother in the world -- hands down!


They are all working so hard! Aren't they precious??




She looks pretty happy in this one!


And, as quickly as it started, it was over. Time to park your trikes.


What IS this?? I see her doing it all the time!


Then they lined up to go back to class.


Such a fun, sweet time!