Nationals in Lancaster 10/3-4

Big Z raced his his first Nationals this last weekend in Lancaster, CA.
We went there not expecting much since he has only been racing for 3 months. On Friday, they have a "Pre-Race"race, Zeke took 1st in his qualifier then 1st in the main. He got a 3' trophy for that win. Mike and I were amazed and overwhelmed at the number of people who attended.
So on Saturday morning, Zeke took 1st in his qualifier. The weather was really bad, it was so cold and rainy. The track was so muddy and many of the riders were falling. We just told Big Z to hold on tight and pedal. Big Z went on to finish 1st place. Wow! we were so excited. We never thought that would happen.
On Sunday, Big Z got to ride in his "Lap of Champions", He was so proud of himself. Now that he has 7- 1st place wins he moved to Intermediate class. Now he will have some more advanced riders to race agaisnt.
It's all good - winning and losing

One thing I wanted to comment on that I saw too much of over the weekend- parents putting way too pressure on their kids to win. We saw parents lose control and really yell and treat their children badly. Both Mike and I felt bad for those kids and promised that we will throw a rock at each other if we lose it and do the things we witnessed.

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State Finals On Saturday

Saturday Sept. 13 was a very exciting day for Big Z. They held the State Finals at the Orange Y for BMX riders from all over Southern California.

Big Z raced in the 5and under novice class with 31 other boys and girls. He have to pour it on and made it into the semifinals placing 4th. The main event only has 8 racers .

Try to visualize this in your head. I was sitting next to the finish line ans close to a turn called the tower turn. Big Z didn't get his best start so he was in 7th place. The racer in 1st place is going around the tower turn and falls. Rider 2 falls over rider 1. Rider 3 comes around and falls over them. This happens with riders 4,5,6 and you guessed it and Big Z. I was in the stands yelling "Big Z slow down, slow down, go around, go around." Mike helps Big Z at the start line so he missed it all. Now back to the story. ABA rules states that the racers can not get any help getting up. So here's this pile and 4 and 5 years olds on the track all crying and here comes the only rider left standing to pedal right over the finish line. Well they decide to rerun the race for the 2nd- 8th place awards . This time Big Z placed 4th but was awarded the 5th place. Big Z was sad and disappointed about his finish. BUT over all, he did great and has to remember he just started racing 9 weeks ago.

Sorry no pictures - it was way too confusing.

Wedding Anniversary

Mike and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary this week.

Life is good!

tROPHY COUNT FOR aUGUST 2008

tHIS MONTH bIG z DIDNT' RACE TOO MUCH. hE ATTENDED A bmx DAY CAMP WHERE HE WORKED ON HIS SKILLS. hE ALSO GOT "CLIPPED iN", THATS WhERe HE WEARS SPECIAL SHOES THAT CLIP TO THE PEDALS. hE HAS IMPROVED ALOT THIS MONTH.

Races raced: 7

1st place: 3

2nd place: 4

3rd place: 0

Sept. 13-14 Big race at the Orange Y . Big Z will race kids from all over the state. Ruben (our BMX mentor) says Big Z has a good chance on placing there. He is 2 wins away advancing to intermediate. We hope he can do that at the Orange Y that weekend. Whatever happens we are having fun and meeting great people along the way.

Big Z is ready for Kindergarten

Big Z will be starting Kindergarten this week. He is ready and excited. I ,on the other hand , am feeling a little sad that my baby is going to school. I am going to miss him. I had to explain to him what was a principle was and that it isn't a good thing to get send to her office. So a new chapter will begin for him.

Thru Big Z's eyes!

For Christmas, Big Z got "a top of the line camera" from Fisher Price.

On Saturday, July 26 Mike took Big Z to the Huntington Beach Pier for the surf contest to watch the finals. They also have BMX , skateboarding, Motor X events. Both had a great time. Big Z had to bring his camera to the contest to take some pictures. Mike didn't help him at all and we were surprised to see the good pictures he took. So enjoy them.