This past weekend, the kids participated in the ASYMCA Mini-Mud run here on our base. The course was a one-mile loop on the beach, through a few obstacles and mud pits. Ransom, Memphis, and Cora Jo ran, along with a few of our neighbor’s kids.
Pre-run and mostly clean. 
I obsessed over whether I should run alongside them on the course, trying to snap pictures and experience it all first-hand, or wait toward the end and get a few shots once they were completely muddy. My gut (and my warm coffee) told me they needed to experience this on their own. Plus, two of the dads who were already covered in mud ran with the little girls, so I really wasn’t necessary. AND, my other two AWESOME neighbors posted themselves at the mud pit to get all the great shots there.
The starting line was a mass of little bodies. (Mem in purple on far left, turned and looking like she’s barking orders, Ransom next to her in green shirt) 
Once they went over the first wall and through the crawl area, they were off around the dunes where I couldn’t see. I ran to the finish line area to wait. I stayed just below the last mud hill they had to climb, so I could see them come over the peak and run to the finish line. 
Ransom and Memphis came over that last hill (Ransom in green, Mem in purple), and ran toward me. I nearly passed out when I could finally see them. They were holding hands. On purpose.
They ran the rest of the way to the finish line together, hand-in-hand. My two warring alphas, ages 9.75 and 11 running together and smiling!
Don’t worry—I took them directly to the infirmary tent for medical intervention.
Cora Jo’s group had started a little later, so Mem and Ransom ran back to the mud pit to *ahem* help. They ran Cora Jo in (she’s on the far right in green shirt and pink shorts).
Cora Jo carefully maneuvered the mud pit as you can see. She was hardly muddy aside from her legs.
All our little mudders- post race.
Post-race cleanse in Chesapeake Bay.
Then we just had to walk the mile and a half home, with cries of “Why didn’t you drive us, Momma?” Hmph, I wonder.
*Big congrats to our friends Ron, Issac, and Cheryl who completed the LONG mud run course- you are rock-stars!*
How much fun is that … something they will always remember … You are so glad you did not drive them there. One less chore to do in not having to clean up the car. Although they would have loved that also. I think you have found an annual event. Send me your best close-ups for the calendar. Aunt Nancy
Just when you think you’ve seen it all . . . seeing Mem and Ransom running and holding hands made me do a double take. And then for them to go back and help Cora Jo? Makes me think you guys are doing something right at your house.