Sunday was such a fun day for us!! We woke up at the Ronald McDonald House, looked out the window onto Lexington Street, in the city of Baltimore, and could see all the commotion of Race Day being set up. Hundreds of volunteers moving in all different directions, setting up a stage, food stands, tents with different activities, testing the mics, getting everything ready for The Red Shoe Shuffle. What cool timing for us to be at the house during this annual event! We got dressed in our red shirts, red shoes, and Ryder even had red mousse in his hair, and headed downstairs for the fun.
Maisy gets a little uncomfortable around people she doesn’t know, so she had her grumpy face on. But the first table we came to on the sidewalk right outside of the house was a Nail Salon sponsor who was giving free manicures, that sure cheered her up!
Ryder was on a mission to find the REAL Ronald McDonald, and didn’t take him long to spot him and make his way over then jump into his arms!
He continued to find special people to take pictures with throughout the day!
They had the road in front of the house shut down and all the festivities went on right there in the street.
Once people started arriving the place was getting packed, they said there was about 2500 people there! The way this community comes together to support the Ronald McDonald House is unbelievable. They take such good care of the families by volunteering every day, and then raised $290,000 at this event!!
Ryder of course made great friends with the girls in the office, so Miss Sandy, the Director of the Baltimore Charity told Ryder to meet her around the stage at 8:30am. He could hardly wait for his chance to go on stage, he told them he made up a dance for the Red Shoe Shuffle. And sure enough, he got up there and led the crowd with Ronald and the MC from an area radio station!
Then he got on the mic and told everyone his name, how old he was, and said “Now everyone line up!!”
We didn’t do the race itself because we didn’t have a stroller or anything, but it was so neat. They had all kinds of plaques to give out for different categories.
And there was a group there called Athletes Serving Athletes, who make it possible for anyone who wants to participate in the race can. They will push them in wheelchairs, strollers, stretchers, whatever it takes!
While the big race was going on they had a little McDash for the kids. Maisy looked so unsure standing at the Start line:
But as soon as they blew the whistle, girlfriend took off!
She ran right through the Finish Line and kept on running! They had to chase her down to tell her she won!
She was so proud of her medal!
She even got brave enough after that to say hi to Ronald! As long as brother stayed with her!
She’d much rather hug and kiss all over the fake one in the house!
We had such a fun day! It was such a positive atmosphere for such a great cause, this is something we definitely plan to participate in for years to come!
Sweet little shufflers!
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