Backyard Olympics

This may surprise some of you but I really do like sports, nearly all of them, especially when they are done well. So, once every two years I spend a couple weeks glued to the TV wishing I would at least get up and do some sit ups or something. We were lucky we had cable during the Olympics this year so we even got to watch some fantastic events live (US Women's Soccer Gold - for example!)

I also like to have parties and since we hadn't had enough this summer we put together a little Summer Olympics for the cousins. I have to say the competitors were amazing and we ended up have a pretty awesome party.

It started with a flag ceremony, torch lighting and the kids taking the Olympic oath. Something about the Star Spangled Banner with an Olympic Fanfare gets me every time. Makes me proud to be an American.

The Flag Bearers

Lighting the Olympic Flame!

 

Some pretty tough athletes.

Did I mention the kids were so fun. They really got into it and being a little on the competitive side, really got things going. Our first events were water gun target shooting and archery. 

 

 

I love this one. Especially the little brother's eye popping up.

Check out that concentration.

The kids really got into it and being a little on the competitive side, really got things going. Our first events were water gun target shooting and archery. After that we had some pool noodle jousting, shower puff shot putt, Frisbee discus, long jump and some good old fashioned foot races.

Ben won the long jump at 13 feet 9 inches (I think)

I loved how they got a big wind up, threw it as hard as they could and it went 3 feet.

 

They were pretty frustrated.

Discus

On Your Mark!

Get Set!

GO!

That was close.

 From here we moved on to scooter cycling and the Triathlon, which next to synchronized swimming, may have been the biggest hit of the day. We had it set up for two laps around the basketball court on a scooter, to laps around the pool and two laps around the soccer field. None of those were Olympic sized but the record of 1 minute 29 seconds blew my estimations away. Did I mention the kids were awesome?

Hammy's most anticipated event. He spent half the summer riding out here.

Ready to Race

Triathlon Heat 2

The water was chilly but they all just went for it.

Coming in on the last lap.

 The funniest event to me was the synchronized swimming. We ended up with two teams. They worked on their routines for at least a 1/2 hour while we grilled up the hot dogs. There was some fierce competition going on here. I think we settled on calling them team 1 and team A. In reality, they would have been in different categories and both won gold.
 

 

Team 1

Team 1 in their opening formation. This team had more art and precision

With a series of front flips, back flips and hand stands.

They even threw in a lift.

Team A

Team A dramatically getting their goggles in place.

Team A pool entry

They had a series of muscle flexing and water spewing that cracked me up.
Not to mention the grunting.

Oh Ya, Bring it on!

 

 Team A entire

Team 1 partial

The dedicated fans.

We had a few gymnastic events after lunch. The cute little girls were not going to let us skip that.

Balance beam tricks.

Bars

Floor

Muscle Man!

 

Pretty girls

Pull up competition

Besides letting use her incredible back yard, my Mom made this cute Olympic cake
and made everything come together.

The awards ceremony was last.

We just had little medals for the kids but you would have thought it was real gold.  

Love those cousins.

Then we all needed this.

I think we had a really great day.