Amiri's school had their annual Athletic Day at the big track in town. It was a beautiful day-- puffy clouds in the blue sky, just the right cool-side-of-perfect temperature. The stands were very comfortable and filled with proud whanau.*
The big kids had a full day that even included high jump and discus-- and up to five events running concurrently which was a real feat of organisation, if you ask me. The five-year-olds (being five-year-olds) were only there for the morning, and in between their playground time and a funny obstacle course, they only competed in two events.
First came the javelin throw. Nerf javelins, of course.
And then the 60 meter dash. '100 meters is just too hard,' the announcer said. Do yourself a favour and turn down your volume before watching this, or else my yelling is going to blow your ears out.
He came in last in his heat, but didn't he make just a spectacular effort? I was particularly impressed with how he stayed in his lane and didn't lose his hat and have to go back for it, like so many others.
But this had to be my favourite moment of the whole day: being blown a kiss as he and his class made their way to their seats.
*Whanau: pronounced FAWN-ow. It's a Maori term/concept that I really like. It means 'family', but it's more than that. It's your nuclear family, your extended family, your ancestors, dear friends, esteemed neighbours, and those who have come into your life and have become 'like family'.
The big kids had a full day that even included high jump and discus-- and up to five events running concurrently which was a real feat of organisation, if you ask me. The five-year-olds (being five-year-olds) were only there for the morning, and in between their playground time and a funny obstacle course, they only competed in two events.
First came the javelin throw. Nerf javelins, of course.
They were a long way away, but I think Amiri is the fifth-from-the-left kid standing up, the one with the javelin on his shoulder like a grenade launcher.
And then the 60 meter dash. '100 meters is just too hard,' the announcer said. Do yourself a favour and turn down your volume before watching this, or else my yelling is going to blow your ears out.
He came in last in his heat, but didn't he make just a spectacular effort? I was particularly impressed with how he stayed in his lane and didn't lose his hat and have to go back for it, like so many others.
But this had to be my favourite moment of the whole day: being blown a kiss as he and his class made their way to their seats.
*Whanau: pronounced FAWN-ow. It's a Maori term/concept that I really like. It means 'family', but it's more than that. It's your nuclear family, your extended family, your ancestors, dear friends, esteemed neighbours, and those who have come into your life and have become 'like family'.
2 comments:
It is so wonderful to see Amiri blossoming and excelling and being such a good sport in the 60 meter dash!
Love, love, love the kiss he blew to you - and to me and all of us in his whanau!
You are right that he ran a spectacular race! Great job. I am so proud of him. I feel so lucky to be able to share in these memories with you by your excellent work on this blog.
He is quite the cutie and a kiss blown by such a cutie is awesome always.
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