SX26 DAY ONE

Before we talk about Summer Xtreme, today was - by some pretty crazy timing - an actual testing day for Maddie at taekwondo.  True story!  Unfortunately, some printer problems caused me to be late and I couldn't get there to see her testing.  It wasn't as big of a deal for her, as this was just one of those in-between testings for many of the students, part of the massive ladder they climb rung by rung, year after year, moving towards that big next belt testing.  Nevertheless, Maddie was adamant about getting there, which she did.  And she did very well.  Our friends there took some pictures, and even a video of Maddie's testing.

So it's Summer Xtreme season, and Maddie spent the day taking a lot of great pictures for KidPak, although not at the various destinations we're going to this week.  Her big assignment was taking pictures for the younger kids, and then what she could in the older kids' area too.  She did so well there.  We'll share some pictures of the event - some of the ones she took - below.  Today's service featured a skit we retooled from 2013's Summer Xtreme, and it worked out really well, a sort of Willy Wonka skit where there are various tests throughout the week, each one eliminating a cast member.  That works because some of the cast members are so busy multi-tasking and doing other things.  

The worship this week has been intense, possibly the strongest services we've had at Summer Xtreme in a decade.  The games are super fun too, big and messy as always.  The Raptors famously won in 2019, as it came down to a Raptor vs. Shark contest at the very end, with the Raptors coming on top, finally giving Maddie's grade a victory in Summer Xtreme.  This year, the contest was a little less about two teams, but rather five of them in close competition throughout the week.  

Today's destination was the movie theater, and they just weren't as ready for the numbers of us that came.  The end result was a lot of us - myself included - getting to go behind the counter and act as movie theater employees!  I was making cardboard snack pack boxes, putting the plastic in, the gummies, pouring drinks, scooping popcorn, and just moving super fast to get 480 of these snack packs ready.  Fortunately, we saw the movie a few weeks ago, so I'm good there.  I spend most of the week making handouts for volunteers, and then for parents in the carline, the printouts featuring pictures of their kids that day.  Fast turnaround!

Our traditional SX actor team selfie during the skit!

Day One was great. We said our prayers at the end of the day, and even spent some time reading.  But yes, it's time to get some rest.