Fantastic First Field Day

Field Day--one of my very favorite memories from elementary school!

Jackson finally got to experience the greatness of it last Friday.  We got up early and were ready to help set up by 7:20. 

They had a pep rally to get the kids pumped up before turning them loose outside.  I don't think they really needed any more adrenaline, though.  These kids were EXCITED!

J's school pairs every Kindergartener with a 5th grader.   Their buddies are there to help them navigate the 33 games and help them out.  It's such a neat idea and I was really impressed with all of the 5th graders!  When I found Jackson, he had already been through Water Limbo and Water Hopscotch. 

They set their sights on drier games and did this goofy one first.

After each game, they ended with the school handshake.  Too funny!

Some of Jackson's favorites were the Tony Romo Toss...

Home Run Derby...

and tether ball!  I used to love me some tetherball:)

After completing 31 out of 33 games, it was time for the team competitions.  First up, 4 way tug-of-war with his class.

I had never seen 4 way tug-of-war, but it worked out pretty well.

Jackson's team did great!  I'm pretty sure they won, but a winner was never officially announced.  That's one thing I was not a fan of--there were really no winners at all.  Just participants!  That's all well and good, but every kid loves a blue ribbon!

J's teacher made it more fun, though, when he challenged the whole class to tug-of-war!

  

Mr. Gomez gave it a good shot...

but the kindergarteners were just too fierce!

Next up was the Water Relay.  This was so goofy. They had the kids run a short distance and then do 5 push-ups.  The silly part, though, was that they got drenched with a watering bucket the whole time they were doing their exercises.  It continued with sit-ups and then mountain-climbers, too!

This little guy didn't seem to mind one bit, though!

He and Wyatt were all smiles...

and never saw Mr. Gomez sneaking up with the water hose.  Oh my!

They did a few more team games, like Quiddich, which was so funny to watch.

After all that hard play time, the kids were ready to relax and enjoy their Bahama Bucks snowcones. 

What a fabulous first field day for J and his friends.  It was his favorite day of school, for sure, and I'm so happy that I got to be there to see it through his eyes.  Now I just need to work on getting some blue ribbons into the mix for next year!