Sunday Runday: Jingle Bell Run

It's December, so you knew this was going to be coming.  It's our 7th year participating in the Jingle Bell Run!  Okay, so it's my 7th year.  Thatboy and Thatkid's 6th year, and Thatbaby's 2nd year.

This year Thatbaby was big enough to sit up in the wagon all by himself, which he LOVED.  He wiggled and danced and smiled the entire time.

When we went to the tree lighting, Thatbaby missed out on cookie decorating, so when we got to the race, Thatkid made sure it was the first thing we did, so his brother could do it too.  Which sounds more altruistic than it was.  Really, he didn't want me to force him to share his cookie with his brother.

This was Thatbaby's first cookie decorating experience.  And he just didn't understand it.  He didn't want to frost it, and he most certainly did not want to put sprinkles on it.  Really, he just wanted to eat it. 

I loaded him back into the wagon to eat his cookie.

While Thatbaby munched, Thatboy and Thatkid joined the rest of the crowd in warming up with the MC.  Honestly, it was one of the most fun warmups I've seen at a race!

Santa was also present, and both boys received candy canes, but neither was interested in any photo ops.

And then we headed over to the start of the race.  Thatkid decided he wanted to run with me, not sit in the wagon.

So we split up.  Thatboy pulled Thatbaby in the wagon, while Thatkid and I ran ahead.

Typically when Thatkid "runs" a 5k, he doesn't "run" the entire race.  There's a spurt of running, followed by walking while whining, or jumping on to the glider board of our stroller.  For the Jingle Bell Run, the reason we bring the wagon is because after a couple blocks, Thatkid is done.

But this race was different.  Thatkid didn't want to stop and ride in the wagon.  He didn't even want to walk.  He wanted to run the entire thing.  3.1 miles is a long way to go when you're 5 years old, but this little trooper wasn't quitting.  Even though there is a very steep hill along the route, and only one water station.

He was hot, he was sweaty, but I could see how proud he was of himself as he kept on running.  And when he picked up speed to cross the finish, knowing that the cheering crowd was for him.

We finished the race and a little bit of time to sit and wait for the rest of our party.  I missed them crossing the finish line, but I caught them shortly after!

The rest of the family had a really great experience with the run also.  And Thatboy happily donated his medal to Thatbaby.

We headed back over to the Kidzone after the race so Thatkid could build an airplane.

And while he worked on that, Thatbaby played with the inflatable games set up for the kids.

Pretty successful morning!  I love the Jingle Bell Run.  It's not flashy.  They don't do major advertising.  The course isn't my favorite.  But it's one of the best ways we ring in the season as a family.  It never fails to provide a wonderful experience for all of us, and it's great to watch my kids grow as the years go by.