Tuesday, August 25, 2009

SPT August 25



Self-Portrait Challenges for the month of August have to do with the (2008, I'm a year behind) Olympics, and the Olympic motto of "citius, altuis, fortius" (faster, higher, stronger.) Specifically, with how that motto can be applied to our personal ability to "uphold the ideals of the Olympic motto", as per Lelly of Lelly's Musings.

She says, "while i'm far from an Olympic athlete, i like to think that i exhibit some of the same skill and determination that they do. so this month, for spt, i will challenge myself to uphold the ideals of the Olympic motto:

citius, altius, fortius
[faster, higher, stronger]

These three words encourage the athlete to give his or her best during competition, and to view this effort as a victory in itself. Each week, think about the Olympic motto, and how it can apply to our every day lives. citius. altius. fortius. are we giving our best? can we find victories in the efforts we make every day?"

So, in keeping with the Olympic theme, I present you with photos of the athletic event that is taking up the most of our free time lately .... football.


The Olympic ideal of: um, where am I supposed to go?



The Olympic ideal of: well, I'll just run and hope for the best.



The Olympic ideal of: Oh, thank heavens, he actually caught the ball.



The Olympic ideal of: Crap, there's three of them coming ... where am I supposed to go?



The Olympic ideal, from the mother, of: That's right, you better be glad you leaped OVER my child and didn't step on his head or I'd have to come right down there on that field and snatch you bald-headed.



And speaking of MOTHER, since this is supposed to be a SELF portrait, here's a picture of what I looked like all weekend:



PS. Julie, since you asked, I can tell you that Kellen stands 5"3 and weighs (without pads) 83 pounds. He is approx 1-2 inches taller than the majority of his team-mates, and weighs, on average, anywhere from 10 to 20 pounds less than most of them. In fact, of the 24 boys on his team, I would say he outweighs no more than three or four.

So I was feeling a little bad for my Ethiopian child, knowing that not only will the other team most likely pummel him all year, but that honestly, a good strong wind could probably knock him over. With that helmet on his head, he's like a top-heavy Weeble. If he falls, he might never get up.

But then I watched the Little League World Series the other afternoon (Go, Warner Robins!!) and saw in amazement that the 12-yr old pitcher for Chula Vista is 6"2 and weighs something like 200 pounds. Did I mention he is 12?

So now I don't feel so bad. Because compared to him, everyone on Kellen's team is a midget. And maybe if I take enough pictures between now and high school graduation, I'll be able to capture any growth spurts that might take place on film.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a tall (and skinny!) boy! How I wish those were my stats, lol.

Kellen is taller than my son, who was born 12/96 and stands 5'2. And my son average/a little above average for his age, according to the ped.

Do you guys have any projection on how tall he will wind up as an adult? I am thinking 6'2+
Rita

Leeann said...

Great photo of the catch! WTG!

Unknown said...

If it makes you feel any better, my son is 5'2 and barely weighs 70 lbs. *sigh*
Debbie E.
PTC, GA
Oh, and I think your photography skills are flourishing!

Anonymous said...

Love the pictures. You got such great shots.

Lisa C.

Renee said...

The action shot of Kellen catching the ball is PROFESSIONAL!!!!! Awesome pic. And Awesome catch!

cakeburnette said...

The first baseman for WRALL is around 6', too I think. He's HUGE. And is an 8th grader at Austin & Shelby's school. Austin mentioned that the football coaches want this tournament to hurry up and be over so they can get their kids back on the team. The BMS first games are today. I know the newest middle school played Northside Middle yesterday & Huntington played Feagin Mill, but I don't know if Thompson played. We play WRMS.