Calvin Christian Challenge, 2013...

There is a long story and history to our school's participation what one was the Metro's Marathon for Non-Public Education.  It was started over 40 years ago and was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, which originally started it for Catholic schools. Then, other non-public schools joined in. It was held on the same weekend as the Twin Cities Marathon, hence the name - there was no marathon running involved!  But a couple years ago, the Knights of Columbus stopped sponsoring and putting on the event.  We continued to hold it ourselves, partnering with a few other schools, but this year a committee reviewed the event and gave it a much needed make-over.  It is now called the Calvin Christian Challenge, which is a better description of the whole event.  Students are challenged to raise money for the school's enrichment fund, which gives money to teachers for classroom supplies and programs, updating technology, supporting the arts' programs, and other major needs that the school has which aren't necessarily in the budget.  They call friends and family asking for donations, then challenge themselves physically by joining with all the campus's and participating in either the 5k run, or the 6 mile bike/walk.  It is held at Lake Harriet, which has a 3 mile trail around it, and is a perfect setting for the day.  There.  Now we all know the story and henceforth will not be confused.  (Which is not true as Steve and I call it the marathon all the time and are promptly corrected by Willem.  Found out later he was correcting his 1st grade teacher too!)

Grace and Willem were eager to do their part.  They called / face-timed all their grandparents, aunts and uncles, went next door to the neighbor's, and were excited when a couple from church offered a donation without them even asking!  We then hopped on our bikes and made sure that they were practiced and ready.

The forcast was for rain the Saturday of the Challenge, but we dodged most of the drops since we went later than the most of the pack.  Steve volunteered to be a safety monitor for the course for the first hour, and then we were able to wheel up and bike the second hour.

Henry rode behind me in the trailer, and the rest of the kids biked themselves.  Each year as they get older it is fun to see how much they can handle as they become independent bikers.  And although it is quite the challenge to get everyone and all the bikes down there - 2 cars, borrowed kike rack, etc., we always have such a fun time as a family and are so glad we can support our school in this way.

And can't forget those thank you notes either!  Thank you to all who donated, we truly do appreciate it!

And for fun again, here are previous years to look back at:
2012 (so cold!)
2011 (so pregnant with Henry =)
2010 (so hot!)