Bolder Boulder 2016 - Run number 1

I had put quite a few miles in this year for Bolder Boulder and as a consequence had a sore knee which bothered me a little, but I thought I would manage a good time despite this.

Started off well and was pretty much on target for the whole course, despite a small stitch.  Crossed the line in 45:24, which was a minute faster than in 2016 and close to my fastest time on this course.

Then it was back to the start to do it all over again with the family.

Finished 1,527 out of 46,210 (top 3%)

One of a small number of people who beat their age

Early in the race

Later in the race

Getting close the finish

Last mile

In the stadium

Split times

Memorial Weekend Car Show

On our way back from badminton we noticed there was a local car show. We stopped in and took some pictures with some cool cars.

They build em big

One of the many hearse cars there

Icecream Treats

Our second annual ice cream treat as school ended now has a few more people!!

Everyone enjoying their icecream

Dad day with Tyler

I went to the school today to fly paper airplanes and eat donuts.  Tyler and Siew Gin had made a paper plane launcher the night before and we got to test it out a school.  Tyler even made a 'portrait' of me with all the things he thinks/likes about me!

Building the launcher

Presenting the portrait

Ready to launch

It's all about the Tea

Erie Balloon Festival

Another early start, another balloon festival.  We normally try and go and see the balloons take off as it is free and close to the house.  This year the weather was great at ground level, then 100 feet up it turned cloudy. Got to see a lot of balloons, then have breakfast at Gunther Toodys.

First Balloon with the flag

Sleepy kids

Plenty more getting ready

Taking off

Big Breakfast 1

Big Breakfast 2

Cody and Tyler end of year school BBQ

The boys went to the end of the year BBQ tonight.  First time we had attended, not sure it was the best ever, but they did make a lot of burgers and hot dogs.  Not sure that charging $5 for the dunk tank was good value for money, maybe $1 would have got more punters.

We followed up watching Groundhog Day at home, which the boys thought funny.

Tyler playing volleyball

Cody in the distance directing the other kids

Tyler Bird Observatory Trip

Tyler and his class had a field trip to the local bird observatory this week. Funny thing was the instructor spent hardly any time on observing birds and spent most of her time discussing the prairie.
They did make all the children and adults dig up the weeds in the field.  Not sure that was the best use of time for the kids.

Observation or firing squad?

Campfire without the fire

BBC Tournament

We held our annual BBC Tournament today.  We had 86 players and a lot of matches, but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.  Tyler and Cody played with Alan and did quite well.  One of these days we may even win some more matches.

The team that helped setup on Saturday

Tyler completes his second timed 5k

Tyler completed his second 5k today.  This event had been postponed due to snow.  While Alan and Cody went to the BBC badminton tournament, Siew Gin took Tyler to do his 5k, then they had to come back and play badminton.

Tyler ran a very even paced race at 8:30 pace, which is a big improvement over his last run and finished 12th overall from a small field.  Next he will have to see if he can get down to 8:15 or faster pace.

Tyler at the start

Tyler finishing stong

The course ran around the lakes

Official finish time

Free Bowling

We took the boys for free bowling today. Our local AMF had free bowling for an hour for kids.  The boys are improving and Cody can finally bowl without using the helper.  Cody took one game and Tyler the next two.

Bowling team

Bowling Scores

Cody field trip to the zoo

Cody and his class had a field trip to the zoo today.  I volunteered to come along and we managed to see nearly everything at the zoo, despite dealing with 4 kids.  A good time was had by all.

Cody and classmates at the zoo

Swimathon

The boys did their swim club swimathon today. They get to swim as many laps as they can up to 200, or 2 hours.  Tyler claimed he was saving his strength and managed around 120 (last year he did make the 200), Cody swam for 71 laps which is just over 1 mile.  I was very proud of Cody as he kept going way beyond the point of tiredness to get to 71.

Tyler on the left, Cody on the right

Last minute instructions

Cody getting close to the finish

Cody celebrates

Tyler and Cody weeding

Tyler's class share a garden with the local school and today he and some of his classmates had to weed it before planting.  Cody also stepped up and volunteered and they managed to pull a few weeds before asking me to help!

Getting the weeds

Where are the other certificates?

Postcard Cody

Cody has signed up for postcard exchange. This is similar to a penpal, except that you send a postcard to a random person, and then some other random person sends you one back. So far we have sent two and received zero.  Hopefully one of these days we will get a card back.

Cody with his card

Mothers Day 2016

No big celebrations this year for Mothers day.  The boys did make a lot of cards, and got Mummy a few presents.

Reading the cards

Tyler Guild Piano

Each year Tyler has to perform a set of songs for guild.  This year he had to learn and play a lot of songs.  His results were good and he managed to pass.  Strangely enough this is the only exam I am aware of where 'C' means pass, and 'A' means more work needed.

Tyler scores all C's

Tyler school play

Tyler did a bug play this year at school.  Siew Gin made him a bug costume and for once he was actually animated and seemed to enjoy taking part in the singing. Cody who had seen the play in the morning already knew the words and was singing along.

Tyler with his bug costumer

Tyler watches the ladies dance

New sofa at last

After 10 years (okay it may be more), we finally got a new sofa.  Still have to buy some more furniture but at least we have somewhere to sit now.

New Sofa

Plenty of seating and lounging room

Emily's party

Emily is our car pool buddy, as well as in our swim team.  We got invited to her party at the local soccer place, and even though they didn't play soccer they did play a lot of cool games.  Cody was very good at the games, Tyler was very good at gaming the system.

Indoor Skiing

Egg and Spoon

Cake