Duck Dash 5K and Fun Run!

This morning, I ran the Duck Dash 5K with some of my running pals, and Katie Anne ran the kids' half-mile Duck Fun Run!  These races are fundraisers for Advocates for Bartow's Children - they're part of the Duck Derby fundraising activities.  The races were fun and challenging, and KA and I both did a great job!  I got my fastest 5K time so far - 32 minutes!  Katie Anne did a great job on her fun run, too.  She ran the whole time and got a medal!  Saunders, SJ, and Gigi came out to support us - and took pictures, too!  It was a great family morning out.  Here are some pictures of the fun.

Pre-race family photo:

Me and my little runner - we made these matching duck-themed shirts together!

 Last minute advice from KA:

 SJ and Gigi are ready to cheer us on!

Getting ready for race time!

Me and V are ready to run!

And we're off!

Running hard!

Watching Mommy's race!

 My two smallest fans!

 Here I come! 

 Me and Vanessa after the race!

Now it's Katie Anne's turn!  She's stretching out before the big run.

 Little #86 is ready to race!

Walking down the hill to her race course.

   Addison looks a little frozen, and KA looks a little nervous!

 Checking out the course.

 Getting herself psyched up...

 And they're off!

 Katie Anne took off from the starting line as fast as she could!

 There she goes - speedster!

 Watching anxiously for Sissy... 

 Here she comes around the corner - Dad's cheering her on!

 Running as fast as she can!

 Real ladies run in skorts!

 Almost there...

 Crossing the finish line!

 Whew- she did it!

 High fives for Sister!

I asked Katie Anne if she ran as fast as a cheetah - which is what she said she was going to do.  Katie Anne told me, "I ran as fast as a werewolf !!!"

SJ ran his own pretend race in the parking lot to show off his skills, too.

 Katie Anne earned a medal for her hard work!

 Racing kids!  KA, Addison, Sophie, and Kobey

 Racing mommies and racing kids!  Katie/KA ... Naomi/Sophie ... Heather/Addison ... Shawnee/Kobey!

 So proud of both of us today!

 KA and Daddy

 Our family!

 What do all little racers need?  Snowcones!

 SJ got a treat, too!

The Duck Derby Festival

On Saturday, it was time for the actual Duck Derby Festival.  We headed back over to check everything out in the morning.  It was very fun - there were lots of sponsors, vendors, and things for kids to do - but it was sooo hot and humid.  We stayed about an hour, checking things out and letting Katie Anne do some activities.  She loved the princess bouncy house, pony ride, and her balloon duck the best!  We left a little after 12:00 to go get some lunch at Moe's (they had lots of food vendors at the Duck Derby, but it was so hot that I couldn't eat out there), so we didn't get to see the actual release of the ducks down the river at 2:30 pm.  We still had a lot of fun at the Duck Derby!

High-fiving the duck mascot

Spinning the Chic-fil-a prize wheel

Choosing a duck to win a prize

Showing off her balloon duck - she chose this color herself, much to the surprise of the clown making the animals!  He said kids rarely choose the brown balloons, but I guess KA was trying to stick to more natural duck colors.  :)

Pony ride time!

We need to go into the bouncy house business - this five minutes of fun costs $4!