Special Olympics State 2018

We headed to Searcy.  Sahara and Canyon went early with all the stuff and got our dorm assignments.  Jared and I went a few hours later after work and met up with them in time for dinner. 

1/2 a mile away was a little hamburger joint.  Canyon got a kids meal so his would come in a car box.

We got back to Harding University just in time for a down pour!  Everyone was stuck in their cars for about 30 minutes.  It cleared up and was time to line up.  Since Canyon is in a new group and we really don't know anyone, I walked him in.  First the walk through the motorcycle line up where they get beads and hi-5s.

Then through the gates and onto the track and introduced.  Our area is by far the largest with at least 200 athletes.

Unfortunately, due to the rain and the late start, the grand affair was cut short.  It was the 50th anniversary for S. O. and I bet they had something special planned.  The torch was lifted on to a 4 story cake structure.

Our dorms were not the greatest, but they were fine.  We got 2, not connecting, but across the hall from each other. Shared bathroom down the hall. :]

We found the tree.  And I'm wondering if the tree had been replaced.  It isn't growing nearly as fast as I would think it should.  But I don't know what kind it is and it is in a raised courtyard type area....Maybe it will never get big and it's a patio type tree.

The Village had all the games Canyon loves and the bead necklace making station.  I have a good collection of his necklaces. 

The concentration.

And this year we talked him into getting his nails painted.

Blue and yellow for Down Syndrome.

His event this year was only the 100 meter walk.  Not our choice, but he did great because he walked and didn't run.

He got a SILVER.

We had a lot of time to spend the rest of the day and for the first time we went to the Healthy Athletes activities.

Canyon got a mold of his teeth (willingly!)

He did 25 sit ups in a minute.

Held himself up for about 8 seconds.

Stretched.

Got measured.

And not pictured had his feet examined.

For all this he got goodies and a t-shirt.

Then we got our box lunches, ate, and went back to the room for a nap.

We got dressed for dinner and the Victory Celebration.

After dinner we had time to hang around campus.  Jared managed to spill his soda on Canyon legs at this water fountain so we used water fountain water to clean him up.

The grounds here are so lush and beautiful.

The Victory Celebration was also cut short due to weather and we left after an hour for Fro-yo.  The next morning, we packed out, went to breakfast and then headed home.  We missed his baseball game, but picked up his tickets for the Traveler's game tomorrow. 

The weather did not cooperate, but we had a great time.