minnesota special olympics

While Uncle Drew has been competing in the Special Olympics for 26(!) years, the girls are just starting to learn all about the incredible organization. 

Uncle Drew competes in several sports throughout the year, but the State track and field event is one of the most fun. The girls participated in their first games last year, but I think they got way more out of it this year. We were there for FIVE hours and the girls had so much fun and were so good and didn't have any meltdowns. (Plus, Little Bird used the porta-potties TWICE!) Wow, we have come a long way in a year.

I brought our two single strollers so that Nana could push one and I could push the other. The girls were so good about riding when they needed to and staying right by us without running around and getting in everyone else's way. They loved looking around for Uncle Drew and watching him do the standing long jump from the bleachers. Both Uncle Drew and the girls were so excited when each spotted the other, and continued to wave enthusiastically to each other.

Uncle Drew got a bronze medal for the long jump and each girl had to check it out. Uncle let Little Bird wear this medal for the rest of the day. Before giving it to her though, he told Little Pie that he would earn her a medal in his next event, the shot put.

To which he did!

A silver medal for the shot put! (and a silver medal for Little Pie to wear)

Now each girl has a medal to wear!

There was some down time too, but the girls stayed very busy checking everything out and being adorable for all the spectators.

Getting in a few rounds of Ring-a-round-the-rosy with Nana

Checking out the law enforcement tent which Little Bird became obsessed with because there was a huge inflatable polar bear in front of it and a "tunnel" to run through.

I thought we would need to leave after our picnic lunch, but the girls were having so much fun and showing no signs of melting down. Plus it was the most beautiful day, we just had to stay and enjoy the rest of the afternoon and see Uncle Drew's last event for the day, the relay.

His team placed second, so now Little Bird, Little Pie and Uncle Drew could all wear a medal together.

But the best part of the day was seeing Little Pie reach out to hold Uncle Drew's hand as we walked away from his last awards ceremony.

A photographer (who must be affiliated with Special Olympics so I will be scouring their website for this photo) also thought it was cute and snapped a bunch a pictures. 

We also ended up walking right past Senator Al Franken(!) who looked directly at them and smiled. :) I was hoping he would stop and pinch her cheeks or something. Isn't that what politicians are supposed to do!?