Letters From Lorelei

This past Sunday Lorlei left for a week of Girl Scout Camp. Little did I know that it was an overnight camp when I signed her up for it. She earned more than half the cost of the camp through her cookies sales and I thought (at her age) it would be a day-program. When I got the list of things to be packed for the residential girls and couldn't find info on daily pick-up and drop-off times - I called the camp and found out it was ONLY an over-night camp. After debating driving 90 min (round trip) to drop her off each morning and another 90 min to pick her up each night, I gave Lorelei the option to stay or be picked up. She wanted to stay.... Every night, Evan and I waited by the phone to see if the director would call to say she's upset and wants to come home, but the phone call never came. :-( That's when I realized how much she is really growing up! So far, she has spent 3 nights at camp and no word on her needing to be picked up. Tonight we pick her up to take her to the first night of Vacation Bible School at church and I'm anxiously awaiting to see what she has to say about it all. 

So throughout the week, I've been sending Lorelei letters, cards and packages (which arrive the next day since it's in town). We sent her to camp with self-addressed and stamped envelopes so she could write home and keep us updated with her. Today I got two cards from her in the mail... 

Here's the first one that I opened: 

And the second:

Evan and I laughed when we saw the one about the camera. It's just too cute. Good thing we're seeing her tonight to tell her where it is, or else she'd have gotten our response on her last day of camp! I don't think she quite understands how slow snail-mail is to write someone and then wait for a response. I joked with Evan that she has been getting all these letters from us and probably wondering why we haven't said anything about where her camera is! I will try to post again tomorrow to let know you how she's doing when we see her tonight.

 - Mandy

1st Grade. Check!

I just dropped off Lorelei for her last day of 1st grade. I can't believe it's already been a year! Time has flown by and it doesn't seem to be slowing down. Here are pictures from her first day of school and her lst day....

First Day

Last Day

Reading Counts

At the first grade end of the year Reading Counts celebration, Lorelei was awarded with this trophy:

In her modesty, she likes to remind me that it was a tie between her and her friend Emily, but I know it's a great accomplishment! Basically, throughout the year, the kids read books and took quizzes on them in order to earn RC (reading counts) points. I'm so proud of Lorelei for her highest quiz average!

Lorelei's First Tri

This past weekend Lorelei participated in her first triathlon! After watching Evan's race in Mexico Beach, FL, Lorelei got motivated to do her own tri. We found a kids triathlons in Tallahassee and after a month of training with Evan, Lorelei was geared up and ready to participate in the Red Hills Kids Triathlon. Here are a few pictures from Lorelei's 1st Tri!

Getting Lorelei ready for the race.

Pep-talk and high-five from Coach Evvy.

Waiting for it all to begin. Notice how the race staff wrote 'My 1st Tri' on her calf.

We were a little worried about her swimming because, although she loves swimming and is a great recreational swimmer, she didn't have the stamina to do the 100 yards required for the race (yes, it's a LOT of swimming!). We got her in the pool a few times before the race, but had accepted that she might be resting on the rope a lot during the competition....however, she surprised us all and swam her heart out. Notice Lorelei in the middle lane wearing purple goggles.

Stopping to say 'hi' to her friend, Gracie.

Coming up for air.

She was the last kid out of the pool by about 20 yards, but she never gave up!


All of the coaches and parents cheered her on as she finished up her swim and climbed out of the pool.

She actually made up a lot of time during her transition and running/biking. 

  I guess all Evan's training paid off!

Evan had Lorelei practice her transitions by spraying her with the hose while she was 'swimming' and then get up and run to her bike to put on her shorts and shoes with she was wet. Lol. She had a blast!

The volunteers at the tri were so nice and helpful. This girl stayed with Lorelei through her whole transition and helped her get dressed before she left on her bike.  

After biking 2 miles, Lorelei had to run a 1/2 mile. She was such a trooper. Even though she came back from her bike all red in the face, she switched gears into the run so smoothly. When she ran past us, she gave us the biggest smile.

When she rounded the corner for the finish line, she began to pick up speed. Notice the team of purple shirt people in the background taking her picture. That's our 'Team Lorelei'.

Crossing the finish-line with a smile. 

 Yeay!! She did it!

I knew Lorelei was going to have a small crowd of cheerleaders at her race, so I decided to make 'Team Lorelei' t-shirts in her favorite color (purple) and put the name Lorelei calls each person on the back. They turned out great!! We got so many compliments on our shirts, that I have a feeling the next kids tri - we won't be the only group with team shirts out there. :-)

We were all so proud of our Lorelei, but I know Coach Evvy was exceptionally happy to see her finish. Now we have 2 triathletes in the Sanders family! 

Lorelei's friend, Gracie, crossed the finish line only a couple minutes after Lorelei. They were too cute together. 

After the race, Lorelei requested frozen yogurt from Fuzions. She was a little tired, as you can see. She took a long nap later that day. 

As you  can see, we had a long day, but it was a lot of fun. Lorelei plans to do another Red Hills Kids Tri in September. Go Lorelei!! 

Lorelei's Talent Show

Lorelei's 1st grade class put on a talent show for the parents yesterday. It was so cute! Some of the 'talents' that the kids performed included: singing, dancing, magic tricks, drumming, playing piano, reading a book, hula-hooping and gymnastics. My camera battery only lasted long enough to take videos of Lorelei's  two performances - so I made a short video to share with you all. Enjoy!

Obviously, Lorelei is not afraid to be in the spotlight and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't proud that she inherited my love for the stage.