Sophia in Action

After arriving in Greece on Thursday, June 13^th, we immediately began one of our summer activities while on vacation-----Sophia in Action! Mommy, made you “runner’s tags” prior to leaving home that say “Sophia in Action” at the top along with “Fit 4 Life” and “2013” at the top. In the middle, I left them blank for you to write in your ACTION number that indicates the “Sophia in Action” session that includes a minimum of one hour of walking, playing, swinging, skipping, hopping, and running! Friday, June 14^th was our first session in Ioannia, Greece. We walked among the city shops and local vegetable/fruit markets and back to Papou’s car parked across town. That evening, we continued another session in Zitsa, the village by walking to the park to play and run. 

Mommy snaps your picture with your “Sophia in Action” runner’s tag on you before beginning our hour of movement for the day (one hour in the a.m. and one hour in the p.m.). Note that we don’t have a vehicle of our own here while on vacation. Thus, we walk everywhere no matter how steep the incline or decline is before us!

Sophia in Action: Day 1 exploring Ioannina & Zitsa, Greece

Sophia found purple wildflowers growing on rock walls.

Sophia Day 2 in action---walking to the cafe with Mommy!

Sophia coloring & playing with her Disney Mini Princesses after the walk to the cafe.

Friday, Saturday, & Sunday sessions are complete. I had to laugh this morning (Sunday, June 16th) when I was dressing you for church. I put on your dress and you sat down on a kitchen chair. As you were getting up from the plastic seat’s cushion, you said something about your bottom hurting. I noted that it was probably because your legs stuck to the chair since they were bare. You said, “No, it hurts here and here!” pointing to each butt cheek. Ha! I had to laugh out loud and explain that it was from all the hills and mountains that we were walking/running along each morning and afternoon on our “Sophia in Action” adventures! 

In the past, my body has ached from the mountainous terrain in Greece during my summer vacations but this year, my body was prepared from pushing it through miles and miles of training in Dyersburg while you were in preschool and/or playing with Daddy----and a few hours of training this spring while you played at the park in May/June. I loved hearing your voice say, “My mommy’s going to run now!” or “Mommy, your phone said start running now!” You are my encouragement to stay strong and active. 

You’re a jumping bean! Everywhere we walk to here in the village, you find places to balance on and many, many steps and walls to jump from while I hold your hand. As I’ve trained myself to walk/run for endurance and more energy, my body has become stronger. I want that for you too little one----for life! I’ve desired to walk/run a 5K this year but time-wise as Daddy has worked to provide for us, I haven’t been able to sign up to run at a time he can watch you for me. And the fees associated with the 5K entries have kept me from signing up too because I wanted those fees to go towards negating medical debt this season. Yet, I’ve continued training for my first 5K and more so for the energy and health benefits that is associated with maintaining a fitness plan in my late thirties. I want to be your role model. I have a few dates on our calendar for family fun runs and 5K’s for myself. However, even if we don’t seal the deals and attend the races this year, we’ll keep training to remain fit for life! 

I look forward to continuing our activities of running, walking, hopping, skipping, swinging, swimming, and more this summer with you in Greece. Furthermore, I look forward to you sharing this activity with Daddy when we return. I’m sure he’ll be so proud of you (if Caroline hasn’t already worn him out before we return home). 

I love you, Sophia! I love you in action and I love you when you rest! Today, we'll begin Sophia in Action Hour 18 after your siesta. Prior to falling asleep today, you asked to get up and open the window (there's no AC here at the house in the village) so that air could blow on you. You covered up Baby Litsa in one of your blankets and yourself with your other baby blanket----and the two of you fell fast asleep with the breeze blowing through the window and the hum of the fan cooling the air in the bedroom. I had to smile when I saw the two of you snuggled together on the bed but more-so when I allowed myself to think about the differences you are encountering here in Greece as compared to our luxuries at home. Thus I pray that beyond fitness, you'll want to always seek out the simplicity of life, embrace your roots, explore the world......engage your mind and body always!

You're brave. Continue to remain strong in all that you choose to do in life.

I love you to the highest point of this earth and back!