Flag Parade

This is International Fest Week at ISKL. Today, the kids dressed up in their countries clothes and had a flag parade. Brady was a very proud cowboy! I tried to get Mason to wear his Old Navy flag shirt, but he insisted on the Texas A&M jersey. I guess that's American, too!

at the flag parade

The kids headed into the studio for a pep rally of sorts. The principal called out each country, 55 in all, and the students stood up and waved their flags with pride.

all the flags together

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It was also a special day at Scouts because the Marines from the US Embassy came to visit us. They performed a flag ceremony for us. Poor guys, it was pouring down rain and they got soaked. Well, we do live in the tropics, after all. Then they showed the boys how to properly fold the US flag. Very cool!

 

Triathlon

A few weeks ago, I was informed about a kids triathlon coming up. Now, I wasn't being sneaky, but I was being strategic in my reasoning that I told Mason about it first while Brady was in ear-shot.  Mason's a bit more competitive and I told him how much fun it would be. Swimming, biking, running - all things that he loves. His answer was "yes, yes, sign me up!" Brady asked if it was just for little kids or were kids his age doing it too. Ok, maybe I was being sneaky, because then I said, "I don't know, would you want to do it too?" He was noncommittal, but I told him I'd look into it.

For the next couple of weeks, Mason was planning the event. What comes first, how the transitions are set up, biking in your swimsuit, running in your swimsuit... He asked if there were trophies? He would do it even if there weren't, but what if he won? Would he get a trophy? I like the way you think, kid. I had gotten a "maybe" out of Brady, but that was about it. I didn't want to keep asking him, because if I did that, I knew the answer was a for sure NO. So a few days later, I told Brady, "I'm signing Mason up for the triathlon, do you want me to sign you up, too?" Yes, ok.

 

So......

The boys completed their 1st triathlon at the Australian International School in Malaysia on Sunday. It was pretty short and just for fun - a nice introduction into the sport. Brady was having second thoughts and really did not want to do it the morning of the event. He said I didn't even ask him if he wanted to do it. Poor thing, he was just recovering from being sick, but he was doing better. He just didn't want to do it. I kept telling him that he would be fine, it's short and just for fun.  He could play, rest or do whatever he wanted the rest of the day. I'm such a mean mom!

Somehow, I was able to get them fed, load the bikes, helmets, towels and shoes and make our way to the Australian school in time to set up. Once we got there, he was really excited and even more so when he saw his friend, Will.

Less than enthusiastic at the start

The good news is Mason was really excited and he genuinely wanted to do it. Also, the younger kids started first. So Mason was up!

Here he is finishing the swim



Heading to the transition area

A quick loop on the bike

 His run was so short I didn't even get a picture!



And the big finish!

Brady was, of course, in the older category. His swim was 4 laps in the pool. I was nervous for him when I heard this news. Let's be honest, I would have trouble swimming 4 laps. I told him he could get down and back any way he wanted, just keep moving forward. I told him he could backstroke if he needed too. (It's what I would do!) He asked if he could dog-paddle. I said yes, but it would be over with faster if he used bigger strokes. Good luck, kid!

I was so happy and proud when he finished his swim. He never gave up. And finished the 4 laps.

Onto the bike

Off on the run

 His run was 1km, which is .6 of a mile. It was a little far for him and I'm sure he was tired by then. I think he raced the whole thing with his tongue hanging out. I ran him in for the last half of it.


Never quit!

Crossing the finish line - do I see a smile!?



Will, Mason and Brady - the triathletes

I was so proud of them! They've done something I have never done. And it brings tears to this momma's eyes to see her boys doing it. They had fun and were all very proud of their medals. Mason wore his all day on Sunday and they both took them to school today to show their friends. Brady has vowed that he will "NEVER do it again!" That's what I always say, too. I told him he might change his mind later. Mason said his favorite part was the biking. Brady said he'll just stick to running.

In true competitor fashion, we came home and ate a big bacon and pancake breakfast. And then they left to play. Mason played soccer for a bit and Brady went roller blading. I'm such a mean mom....

Terry Fox Run

Last week was a rough one for the kids, and Mom! Mason was sick Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Brady caught it and was sick Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Good grief! Mason was well enough to do the Terry Fox run on Friday. He and I ran and walked it together.

Stamps on his arm for every lap around the field.

A well deserved treat

Halloween

 

We had a fun Halloween with Jango Fett and Darth Vader. Mason was also Captain Rex at school, but he saved this one for trick-or-treating because of the jet pack. I'm so happy with our new neighborhood. They hosted a huge party with tents set up right beside our house, since we're at the end of the street. At 6:00 the party started. We had our friends from the city center over (no trick-or-treating down there). Lots of kids, adults, food and even more candy! Everyone had a great time!