Let the Games Begin!

As many of you know, I am an Olympic fanatic. I watched the 2004 Summer Olympic Games from my Costa Rica hotel room and joke that I timed my maternity leave around the Winter Games of 2006 and 2010. I proudly stalked Michael Phelps  in 2008 like every other good Baltimorean, and cheered at his homecoming parade (he grew up a few blocks away from our house in Towson!) So it is an understatement to say that I am excited about the 2012 Summer Games being in London. I am ECSTATIC!  We were lucky enough to score tickets to three football (aka soccer) events…2 in Cardiff and the Women’s Finals at Wembley. GO TEAM USA! I am not usually a huge soccer fan but tickets were available and it seems like a fun event to take the kids to. We were even able to check out the 100 Days to the Olympics Countdown in Times Square when we were in NY and watch some of the Team USA Beach Volleyball players!

While all of this is exciting, the best part (so far!) came last week when the Olympic Torch passed through Cheltenham!  Riley’s school had a week of Olympic activities which included their own Opening Ceremonies and visits from special Olympic guests, including her favorite, Pride the Lion (the Team GB Mascot)!

Riley's class wore the colors of China for the Opening Ceremonies!

Riley sings for Pride the Lion with the Singing Squirrels, her school choir (she's in the yellow dress onstage!)

And then our family headed down to Bath Road to watch the torch go by with some friends. Apparently the torch bearer changes every 300 meters and the one we saw was Leon Taylor, an Olympic Silver Medalist in diving, who just happened to be one of the visitors at Riley’s school! Very exciting!

Waiting for the torch

Ali, Lyla and Riley

Jocelyn, Fleur, Riley and Eva

Here Comes the Torch!

Leon Taylor with the torch (and Riley's friend Eva cheering in the background)

 We are now officially counting down to the Olympics! We can't wait!