SO 16

We're off for another fun adventure at beautiful Harding University for Special Olympics 2016!

After check in and dorm assignments, we head to the cafe for line up.  Can't use the track and football stadium because for the first time ever since Special Olympics started, it's raining!

It was held in an auditorium.  There was plenty of room, but took forever for the athletes to file in.  And sadly, no motorcycles for the show :(

All the athletes in the bottom section, all the family in the top section.

After a lot of introduction and too much blah, blah, blah, the show began.

It was a cover band for some old rock and roll songs.  We managed to get down stairs and hang with Canyon.  He loved it.

Here's the baby tree!

2010

first year

2016

now

After a great breakfast the next morning, we hiked all over campus taking photos.  Canyon's first event is not scheduled until 4 pm.

Then we went to Olympic Village for some crafts and play time.

Lunch in the stands.

We headed back to the dorms for a nap before his event.  While asleep, the storm hit and all events were canceled.  When we woke, we were told all events will basically be caught up at the same time which actually pushed Canyon's Shot Put up to 3.  Good thing we didn't sleep through it!

There were 3 boys in his group.

He did well, but we found out the weight of the ball he has been practicing with is several pounds lighter than the one at the games. Next year he will be practicing with the correct weight.

He got Bronze!

Awards inside due to more rain.

More campus photos.

Dinner in the cafe.  Ham or chicken with green beans, carrots, macaroni, and a roll.

Back to the dorm to get ready for the Champions Party.  Usually it is at Berryhill Park, but, you guessed it!  Due to rain it was at a nearby high school in the field house.

I found a former student there!  He moved to Mena last year.

Saturday we woke to plenty of sunshine!

We got all packed up...and Sahara got a migraine :(

Canyon's event wasn't until 10 so after breakfast we headed back to Olympic Village.  Canyon won this game of basketball shootout with 5 other kids!  That basketball set up in Shoe Carnival that he plays with has helped his game!

Time for Standing Long Jump.

This was disappointing.  The people running the Standing Long Jump were very unorganized.  They got the boys out of order, were not writing the scores down and had to start over, and weren't measuring correctly.  They also had 2 groups of boys playing together instead of separately.  So, in the end, Canyon ended up tying for 4th when he should have gotten a Silver.

:(

I have never seen more than 5 in a group and this one had 8.  

Canyon doesn't care, he got a ribbon.

Back at home, we added his new wins to his wall.  I need to add the second row as his medals are doubling up now!

Even with all the rain, we had a great time!