Monster Mash Run

Two second place finishers

So, the day before Halloween, Chris and I loaded five pajama-clad, sleeping damsels into the van in early morning darkness.  We drove across town to the Sam Houston Race Park for...a race--the foot kind, not the horse kind.  Chris and I had been training the girls for their 1K run for a few weeks.  The goal was that they pace themselves well and run the entire course.  Not only did Mia, Grace and Sophie finish the race without stopping but Mia walked away with a monster head trophy for second place in her 6-8 year old age group.  Just as incredible, Grace who is at the bottom of her age group, finished fourth.  Heartbroken for at least fifteen minutes over not receiving a trophy of her own, she made a complete recovery after a nice nap.

Adults participated in a 5K, 10K or 15K race.  Chris took second in his age group for the 5K and ran his fastest time since leaving the Marine Corps which has him eagerly anticipating his next race, whenever that may be.

Madeleine opted out of the 5K and served as support crew with me and Ella.  She has become quite the excellent face painter and painted all of her sisters' faces for their races.  She was also the perfect running partner for Sophie.

Costumes were encouraged at the race and we saw several interesting ones such as the guy running the 10K who came jangling along with about 8 big medals around his neck carrying his coffin.  Interesting.

Now--on to the photos:

On the left, Chris speeds toward the finish

Daddy's cheerleader

Ready to Go

Don't you wish you had a pair of tights like Sophie's? 

Playing around before her race

Running and smiling, smiling and running all at the same time

Sophie and her trainer close in on the finish line.

I was especially proud of Sophie's perseverance.  

Fleet-footed Mia on the blocks.  Way to go!

Our super stars

After the kids' award ceremony, we walked around and enjoyed the decorations, 

one of the best parts of this particular race.

Warning to potential boyfriends....

Mia and monsters

In an uncharacteristically gutsy move, Ella not only posed with the tarantula but actually

 shook its furry leg.  Ick!

That's all for now.  My sweet husband surprised me by installing an updated version of Blogger that I am still figuring out.  I plan to work on that a bit this weekend while Madeleine and I are visiting my cousin Jen and family in Maryland.  Coming up--stories and pics of all that fun.