run uncle run!

It was a GORGEOUS day for our annual outing to Uncle Drew's Special Olympics track and field meet. This year instead of being at the U of M, we made an excursion to Stillwater. 

The girls were really excited and as soon as we got there, Little Pie told Uncle Drew that she knew he could get a golden medal ("I just know you can do it, honey" was one of her quotes). She was really laying on the pressure to get the gold, and poor Uncle Drew was so disappointed that it didn't work out today. (It's not like he doesn't have a million gold medals at home). It gave us a great opportunity to explain to Little Pie the message of the event (and all other Special Olympics events), "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

First event (that we saw), standing long jump.

Waving to his fans who were pretty loud, by the way.

Best attempt.

Go Uncle Drew, Go!

Fifth place finish.

Hugs and support.

We had a picnic lunch and explored the various activities that were set up to keep everyone entertained between events. The girls had fun attempting skee ball, football toss, basket ball shots, and soccer goals. 

Nana found some popcorn that conveniently came in a megaphone.

Anyone who knows her would probably say Little Pie does not need a megaphone!

I love the teeth in this shot.

The second event we saw was the relay and the girls had a blast yelling in their megaphones at all the participants on Uncle Drew's team.

He's doing the sign for I Love You, all the way across the field. My zoom lens did pretty well.

The hand off.

Run run run!

Another hand off.

 Unfortunately the team came in fourth. When we got to the awards area, we saw that the "royal" ambassadors from Maple Grove were handing out medals. The girls thought it was so cool that the girls were wearing princess crowns. Little Pie went right up to them and said, "Hi princesses, where are your pretty dresses?". Little Bird was star struck and kept wanting to talk to them with her shy, quiet voice. The ambassadors were so sweet and agreed to pose for a picture.

We had a great day!