Momma's Super Groms

The Florida Surfing Association puts on 3 Super Grom Surfests each summer.  One in June, July and August.  Friends of ours have done it in the past and their kids loved it so we were determined to try it out this year.  

Registration is FREE which is the best part.  The kids had to get up early so we could hit the beach by 8:45.  Thank goodness parking in Jax Beach is no problem at that hour!  We checked the kids in and then waited for instructions.

First the instructors had the kids stretch and warm up

The kids were in the first heat.  They all wore these shirts in the water which made all the little ones easy to spot.

Riley getting some instruction from his teacher.

Kendall wasn't too sure what to think.  Being in the first heat probably wasn't the best for her, but they did it alphabetical so we didn't have a choice.  She could have benefited from watching other kids to have a better idea of what to expect.

Needed a little coaxing from her teacher

Riley had no problem heading right out - the other downside of surfing at 9 am is that the sun is at a terrible angle for photo ops...

 She's UP!  Not bad for her first attempt!

  

And she's back down.  I think she got nervous.

 Here goes Riley!

A little off balance...

Opps - he ended up falling off!

Second attempt was more successful!

Getting his balance

 Got it...

High Fives with his instructor!

 Trying again

Having fun! 

Look at my little guy go!

Here goes Sissy again

She's up!

Now she's all the way up!  Just gotta get her to change her feet. 

Another try

Little Man fell in love with surfing

He thinks he's pretty cool now that he's surfed!

His instructor was awesome and provided a great first experience for Riley!

Sweet Frog came to visit the Super Groms on the beach!

Gotta have a little sas at the beach!

Afterwards the kids received shirts, medals, goodie bags and PIZZA!

170 little Super Groms and their instructors at the Grom Fest

The kids have already asked to participate again next year.  It's a free event that tries to get kids excited about surfing.  The FSA also offers surf camps during the summer.  They also offer a One Day Surf Camp for kids.  I think I'm going to start with that and see how much they like it.  If it's a hit, I may put them in EPIC next summer.  Andy's boss' kids do that one and they are happy with it.  It's a Christian camp.  I just have to see if they'd take Kendall since she won't turn 6 until half way through next summer.  

Family Day at Pax Trax

Today we finally went to the MX (motocross) track as a family.  We wanted to go last weekend but rain was in the forecast so we decided to stay home.  Andy worked his magic and managed a CR 500, a 250 ATV, a CFR 70, and a CFR 50 all in the bed of his truck!  We even managed to take our canopy, some tools and all our gear!  The kids sat with their feet in their laps, but it was only an hour drive!  

We headed out to Pax Trax early this morning.  When we got there, Andy gave Kendall a lesson on her 50 after he put her training wheels on.  She did alright until she got off.  She forgot to let go of the throttle and turned it while she was stepping off.  She ran the training wheel into her leg and it scared her a bit.  I got on with her a bit later so she wouldn't allow that to spook her and she did alright but needs practice with the throttle.

Riley got to try out his new 70 today.  He actually got to test ride it before we bought it from a buddy of Andy's.  Usually Carey and his daughter Kya meet up with Andy and Riley at one of the tracks but Kya was visiting family in SC and was disappointed to miss riding with Riley.  Carey was able to make it though.

 Here he is on the Pee Wee track

Riley's own personal cheering section and pit crew

 Here's my MX stud

 Riding makes boys hungry

 This is Andy's friend Carey

 Here's Andy

 Carey again

Andy again

 Daddy's cheering section

Riley headed back out to the Pee Wee track after being inspired by his Daddy on the track. He liked watching all the experienced riders and was talking about practicing enough to be able to ride on the intermediate track some day...

You can see the rain coming down in this picture but that didn't stop Riley!

Kendall took cover from the rain and thunder with Carey instead of under the canopy with Mom and Dad

Makes me wonder what they were talking about.  Thank goodness Carey is use to little girls.

So the skies did open and rain on us.  We got caught in a huge storm that didn't really hit Jax but got us good down near Palm Coast/Palatka.  I got Andy a new canopy to use while riding and at the beach and sadly, if you remember our Bear Lake camping disaster, we had a little deja vu.  We came back from the track and found one leg was bent.  Seriously?  It's only the second time we've used it since he got it for Father's Day!  It must have caught some wind and blew over.  Then the storm kicked up and we had to hold on to the canopy so it wouldn't blow away!  

We never did get back out on the track after the storm - because it NEVER stopped raining.  We had to eventually pack everything up in the rain.  Always fun to pack wet, sandy gear along with two dirty kids.  

All in all, it was still a good time and we are looking forward to going again.  I can't wait to get Kendall out on the track!  I think she'll tear it up once she figures it out!

I've Been Quiet Lately...

But that doesn't mean things haven't been on my mind.  I think this slideshow sums up my thoughts on the latest and greatest in the news these days...

Click HERE to see what I mean.