Carolina Olympics

Since the Olympics are occurring right now Kelsey and I decided to have an Olympics of our own.  We created a simplified and fun version for the kids.  There are seven kids so we decided upon seven events so everyone could go first once.  The super special part of our Olympics was a no competition element.  Everyone competed against themselves so there would be no tears!

To prepare for our Carolina Olympics we made signs (thanks MomSwimBikeRun).  I love simple crafts and this one was simple.  Cups dipped in paint and placed on poster board making Olympic Rings.  The kids loved making the signs.  We used three for the opening ceremony and cut the rest for our event signs.

My foggy picture of the Opening Ceremony signs

Sample event signs

We lined up the kids and marched them in while playing the Olympic music.  Megan, my cousin, was our torch bearer.

All lined up and ready to go 

Let the Games begin

We rotated through all seven events with a different child going first at each event.  We simplified our events so that Elena and Leah could participate.  They are two.  We also wanted it to be fun enough for Emma, who is 9, to enjoy the Games as well.

Our events were the Bean Bag Toss, Kicking Soccer Goals, Cycling, 50 meter dash, Baseball, Archery, and the Long Jump.  My favorite was the 50 meter dash.  The little girls ran a shorter distance, but ran their little legs to the finish line.  It was just precious!  Enjoy the pictures.

Jonah kicking the soccer ball

Emma preparing for the bean bag toss

Hanna kicking the soccer ball

Elena trying to kick the ball

Leah hitting the baseball

Maya swinging at the ball 

 All the kids started the 50 meter dash from "starting block position" and I use that term loosely!

Leah running strong to the finish...GO GIRL!

Our archery event was nothing like archery.  The kids used water bottles and squirted the water into a cup. The goal was to get a ping pong ball to float.  The littlest three...Elena, Leah, and Samuel...just had to get the ball to float.  The oldest four....Emma, Maya, Jonah, and Hanna....had to get the ball to the top of the cup.

Our last two events were the long jump which was very funny.  Emma and her long legs jumped the farthest at 55 inches.  She landed standing up.  I think everyone else fell after jumping.  Elena and Leah jumped barely, but they had fun trying!

All lined up for the cycling event.  The little girls pushed strollers!

Elena and Leah pushing their strollers

Everyone had lots of fun!  It was a very hot and humid day so we celebrated with homemade yogurt pops.  See you in four years!