First Triathalon

With all the swimming and biking that our family has been doing this summer FFM decided that doing a triathalon sounded like something fun to try. We found ourselves with an adjusted weekend schedule that freed up a morning that worked.

I'm pretty sure it took us longer to pile all his stuff together than for him to complete the event. He said it was the "best day ever!" and before we left the parking lot he had me looking up information on other/longer triathalons. Unfortunately a lot of them conflict with summer swim season, but I bet we'll be able to squeeze in one or two next summer.

How to Get Psyched Up When You're Six-almost-Seven

Swim season has gone very well for us this year. FFM is still 6 and so gets to swim the 6 and under and his choice of 8 and under events. Weekly swim lessons most of the year have helped a lot, his stroke mechanics improved immensley over last year. Swim meets are fun and, new this year, he's much more aware of how he places and if his time improved.

A lot of athletes have special routines to get themselves ready for their competition. FFM's is remarkable. The video is shaky because of course I'm dancing, too.

 It's pretty consistent, when he dances before the start he drops time. I wonder if it loosens up his mind and body. He's becoming a bit famous for it, various other swimmers come up to greet him and comment on his moves and what he's going to do next time.  We also have a complicated set of hand and body gestures so that when he looks up to find me before the start he confirms exactly what he's supposed to be swimming. We're quite a sight.

Swim 2013

We just finished a crazy fun summer swim season. It was F's first, and he took to the pool like a fish to water. I won't lie, it thrills me that our kiddo enjoys one of my favorite sports, and the only one in which I was ever competitive. While he may look like his Dad, there's pool water flowing in his veins just like Mom.

He's surprisingly competitive (again, Mom more than Dad) and it was exciting for him to win (he won his heat several times). Those first hard won ribbons lit him up! He placed in nearly every event he swam in this summer and only got disqualified once (flutter kick during breaststroke).  Our team does a great job of organizing photos during all the meets and here are a few from the first two meets of the season. I'm already wishing for next summer!

Rookie Swimmer

Saturday was F's first ever swim meet.  He's loved swimming for years, no exaggeration.  Back when he was a mere one year old the Bejing Games were on and I had the TV on in the background most of the day when we were home. He wasn't really interested except when the swimmers competed.

Prenatally he was a wiggly bump, so much that I had motion sickness. Anytime I got in the pool to swim, or later just float, he'd settle down and take a nap.  His first trip to a pool, at four months, he threw his head into the water and came up giggling.  He had excellent swim lessons in Australia and mediocre ones here until we met his current teacher, Ms. Louise.  He's been anxious to get involved in a swim team for about a year and a half now, Missy Franklin is his idol, and he just about exploded his first week of practice he was so excited.

F and Emma after the team cheer to start the meet

Saturday he was excited, but very focused.  He knew all of his event numbers, exactly when and where to go for his heats, and managed to keep track of his towel, cap, and goggles the entire meet.

He swam in two relays (8 and Under) and three individual events (6 and Under).  His first relay got disqualified, the swimmer before him quit halfway and pulled himself along the lane ropes for several meters.  His second event he forgot to kick.  His third event, 25 backstroke, he pulled it all together and not only won his heat but got 2nd overall! His last individual event, 25 breaststroke, he also took 2nd.

swimmers take your mark....
F's in lane 5, the one closest to me in this shot

leading his heat, in lane 5 closest to me

super happy swimmer!

F and Emma both had a great day. We did, too. The weather was gorgeous, our volunteer jobs were fun and easy, and it was a lovely way to spend a Saturday morning.  Our team runs a fast meet and we were done before I expected, even though F swam in the last set of free relays. I had a very nostalgic day, remembering the countless meets I swam in and the hours spent playing cards or reading a book waiting for my events.  He's already asked me if he can swim year round, but I think we'll stick to summers for a few years.

Florida Family Reunion

Last week we were in Florida, Sanibel Island specifically, for a family reunion. It was nice and low key, super hot and humid, and a good time over all.  We stayed in a condominium on the beach, and spent a lot of time in the water of both the ocean and the condo's pool.

This is how we spent most of our mornings... life was pretty rough.

 When it got too hot to stay on the beach it was usually time for lunch.  After lunch half of the pool was shaded and it was a great spot to spend the afternoon.

The next day...back to the beach!

 and to the pool!

We did some exploring, but living in a landlocked state we opted to maximize our time in the water.  One morning, a super hot inferno day with zero breeze, we headed out for a short and successful fishing trip.

Summer Just Around the Bend

School is wrapping up, the end of year piano recital is a week after that, it's time to restain the deck, flowers are popping up left and right, and yesterday was the start of summer swim team.

It seems awfully early, but with the first summer season swim meet a little less than a month away it's time for the kids to hit the (chilly) water!

Yesterday was F's very first ever swim team practice.  He was crushed that it was dry land, but reported they'll be in the water tomorrow.  Here he is with his new 6 and under age group pals.

Go Holly Park Sharks!

Flipper

FFM is perfecting the flip turn. He used to twist first then try to flip.  He's getting it down, but is so excited when he does it right that he stops to hear the praise. Maybe next week he'll swim on and on...

Busy Boy

Before school started Travis and I had some lengthy dicussions about the volume of activities FFM wanted to do. This child would be happy if he were in some organized group activity every day. However, we parents opt for at least a couple days off.

Swimming is going well.  After seeing the swimmers at the Olympics this summer FFM 'borrowed' my swim cap and now wears it for every lesson. He's refining his strokes and hopes to be on a summer league swim team next summer.

Piano is where he really excels. I'm constantly stunned at his skill and persistence for practice. He gets frustrated when he can't learn a piece in a couple of reads; this semester of piano he's been challenged by longer and more complicated pieces and he's learning to keep going instead of just quitting if it's too hard the first time. This fall FFM inherited my grandma's piano and it was barely in the door when he started playing it.

Somewhere FFM learned about choir and Sunday School so we've become pretty regular church goers. He sings at least once a month in service-our church is very musical with several choirs, bells, 3 piece combos, orchestra, and more. This weekend he sang in the angel choir for the Annual Advent Pageant. He loves choir and manages to be in the front row AND wear a tie for every performance. Notice he is surrounded by girls...perhaps one reason he likes choir so much?

Right before Thanksgiving FFM started 6 weeks of ice skating lessons. I really like this activity because it's on Saturday morning and Travis gets to take him. I tag along occasionally and try to stay warm while we watch him master basic skills like gliding, going backwards, and making tiny jumps. Soon we'll trade ice skating for ski school, just as soon as some snow arrives.

Even after all this FFM wants to go to more.  The school sends home fliers for after school activites every couple of weeks and the latest one was for a ceramics class. FFM asked to do it, and after even more discussion we said OK. Last Tuesday was the first day of class and as I stood in front of the school at 5pm waiting to pick him up I thought about how strange it was to be at school in the dark. When we got all loaded into the car FFM admitted, "Mom, I had a really great day today but it was LONG!" I was concerned it was too long a day but he was adamant about continuing. Mr. Social Butterfly had a grand time and can't wait to go back.