the olympics

i have loved the olympics since the 4th grade. that is the first time i remember learning about them and being excited for them. my teacher was Mr. Long and i think he was from california. that was the year they were held in los angeles. he had gotten programs/schedules for our class and we were able to look through them and find our favorite competitions and learn about different competitions we had never even heard of. it was so fun. i remember thinking california wasn't that far away, and how would i convince my parents to go to l.a. for the olympics. i don't think i even tried. but ever since, i have loved the olympics and now this year i am finding a whole new olympic spirit.

i had aftie and ella watch the opening ceremonies with me. afton was very excited about it and would run in and out of the kitchen to tell me what was happening (while i made cookies). the artistic program was incredible! but i think the part i liked the best...was the little boy who walked in with the chinese athletes. apparently this little boy (i think he was 9) rescued two of his classmates from the earthquake rubble (in may). when asked why he did this, he explained that he was a hall monitor and it was his responsibility because he was a class leader. i loved how yao ming lifted him up and held him during the end of the ceremony. i thought it was great to see a famous athlete be so sweet with this little boy.

while watching the swimming competitions last night, i was so impressed with the competing athletes hugging each other after the race. it was great to see that there are really good people still in this world and that my daughters can see these amazing athletes be so kind with their biggest competitors.

i feel like there's a good spirit at these games and it makes me feel so happy to see people from all over the world cheering for one another.