I have so much I want to fit in this teensy space, I'm just going to get right to it.
First, I hope to see you at the 2012 Ogden Tiny Tot Trot on Friday, May 25! The Trot is a short, non-competitive race for children 5 and under, and it's free to enter. Registration begins at 5 p.m. outside WesBanco Arena on 14th and Water streets in downtown Wheeling. The race begins promptly at 6:45 p.m. All children receive a race bib with the number "1" on it, a "gold" medal, a balloon and a drawstring backpack filled with swag for the kids and local info for parents. Commemorative race T-shirts will be available for $5.
New to the Trot this year will be information tables set up by local agencies, businesses and organizations that serve children and parents in the Ohio Valley. Be sure to come early to check out the information and activities at the tables.
OV Parent Magazine sponsors the event, which is part of the Ogden Newspapers Half-Marathon Classic weekend of events. But we couldn't do it without our awesome community sponsors: Easter Seals, Covenant Community Church (C3), Wheeling Country Day School and Oglebay Institute. Thank you!
For kids 12 and under, the 1-mile Ogden Fun Run also is Friday night, starting at 7:15 p.m. at the top of Wheeling Hill. Registration also is down near WesBanco Arena, and shuttle buses are available to take racers to the starting line. There is a $10 entry fee, which includes a T-shirt. A parent may run along with their child(ren) for free or pay the $10 fee and receive a T-shirt.
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In honor of Mother's Day (May 13) and Father's Day (June 17), I want to give a shout-out to my mom, mother-in-law, father, step-father and step-mother. I am so blessed to have you all in my life! I truly would not be who I am and could not do what I do without you.
Speaking of step-fathers, mine is still in Georgia as I write this, but I am hoping in the next month he will have landed a job and moved up here to join his wife (my mom) to live happily ever after close to the family members who love him!
Speaking of step-fathers again, it's long overdue that I mention my brother, Clay Bethel, in this column. A divorced and single father, he is raising not just his 11- and nearly-10-year old sons but also has served for many years as an anchor for his step-children, who are now 17 and 20. He always has treated them like they were his own, and I am in awe of his reservoirs of stamina, caring and dedication. Keep up the great work, Clay!
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Still not sure what camps to sign up your kids for this summer? Looking for other ideas to make the most of the nice weather? Look for the annual OV Parent Summer Survival Guide, with an updated camp guide; best backyard games; new products for safe, fun summer fun; and more. The guide publishes in mid-May and can be found at any place OV Parent is distributed.
