Number 3 of 5

The 3rd of the 5 cross country meets. This time in Holland. Ben didn't have a super great race and was pretty sad and upset afterwards. He was tripped by another boy during the race and came in 31st. He was really trying hard to get into the top 15 and he was very upset that it didn't work out. But he still ran like a champ!

Dun Dun Dun - The Millennium Force!

So, he had no issues with the Corkscrew or the Iron Dragon, so I figured we'd just go all the way - to the Millennium Force! There were no waits the day we went. The longest we waited in line was 20 minutes. So I took Ben on the MF. He was never nervous, never asked to back out. We got up to the station and he was all set! As we went up the hill, he looked around at the water and boats. The first time he rode, his picture didn't come out well. But the SECOND time (yes, he asked to ride it again), the picture with Adam was a keeper! He even posed. 

The Inaugural Trip to Cedar Point

It finally happened. We finally took the boys to Cedar Point! John and Tiffany asked if we wanted to go with them, and after some careful measurements to ensure we were good on height, we said yes. Nick is 42.25" and Ben is 49". Nick was able to ride a lot of the non-roller coaster rides. Ben was able to ride everything that does not have an over the shoulder harness, minus the Corkscrew. We weren't quite sure how the kids would react to the rides, but we decided to jump right in and see what happened. I started Nick off on the scrambler. Ben started off on the corkscrew. Both gave it a thumbs up, so on we went! We had a great time and the boys LOVED it. It was the first weekend of Halloweekends, so the park was all decorated, but not scary on a Sunday. We shut the park down. As we were pulling off Cedar Point Road, Nick looks out the window and says, 'See those lights? That's Cedar Point...I miss Cedar Point'. And Ben asked when we could go back before we even left the parking lot. I believe it was a winner!

Running...In The Rain. And Wind. On the Lake.

Yup, this is how I remember cross country. Running in the rain and wind and being cold. But it didn't bother Ben. He got 18th place at the race at Maumee Bay State Park. His whole goal was to beat his friend. He ran neck and neck with him until the very end when his friend beat him by one person. 

The First Cub Scouts Belt Loops

Ben got his first Cub Scout belt loops. He got one for reverence (going to church) and for his nature hike. He proudly wears his belt to school every day. And is constantly asking how he can earn more belt loops. 

A Cub Scouts Adventure

Ben's cub scouts pack took a nature hike along the Maumee river. The older boys had to do a five mile hike. The 6 year old weren't quite up for that, so they walked about 45 minutes and then turned around. While they hiked, Nick and I took a shorter walk around the canal and then went canoeing! They had free canoeing set up at Providence park that day and Nick wanted to do it, so we did! 

And then a random Nick selfie while we waited for Ben to get back.

A Random Sunset

A random pretty sunset as viewed from the Turnpike