Swim Season!

June was full with vacation, summer camp and VBS but now Erin is back in the pool and competed in her first meet on Saturday. We were excited to see her swim but not very excited about the 100 degree weather. God provided a great breeze and a friend loaned us a canopy to block the sun. Erin won four heat ribbons and 2 first place finishes! It was a good day.

CRAZY. WEEK.

I can't remember a busier week than the one we've had. I've driven many, many trips between our house and the schools, I've taught school two full days, Sheridan had drama practice on Tuesday, Lauren went to soccer practice twice this week and band practice once after school. Erin had a quiz bowl meet on Monday and practice on Wednesday after school. Ryan put in over 10 extra hours this week working on the Madrigal Dinner. School was also in session with end of semester PreCal, Chemistry and Geometry tests being studied for long after most of the family went to bed. Erin job shadowed on Thursday for her Career Orientation class.

Several times this week I've said, "It's our life, and I love it." I mean that. Sunday: Band concert. Erin, junior high band, 2nd year flute.
Lauren, high school band, 4th year trumpet.

Tuesday: Choir concert, Erin, junior high womens select choir. Christmas music.

Friday: Madrigal Dinner, Ryan, junior member of the chamber choir. They have rehearsed for months on music and drama. It was such a great event. Dinner, music, and entertainment. It was wonderful and I think it's great that Ryan put on his Gaston costume and did his best here as well as any Friday night on the football field.

Saturday morning: Swim meet in Russellville. Lauren, 2nd year high school swimmer. This was the second meet of the week. On Thursday Lauren swam in Springdale.

Swim Shots

Courtney and Erin

My girls have been swimming. They've both progressed in each of their events and have brought home several ribbons and medals each!

Lauren and her friend Hallie from Paris

Lauren, waiting for her turn in the freestyle relay.

Brooke, Courtney and Erin, together they won the Medley relay. Erin swam Back and Free.

They practice three times a week, including two mornings at 7:30am. They've been real troopers and I'm so grateful for their perseverance. What a great sport!

Last shot of summer: bravery

These pics deserve to be on our family blog.

Sheridan and Erin showed some real bravery at the swim team's end-of-summer party. It was at our city pool and they both jumped from the high dive several times! OK, not such a huge thing for Erin (even though I know some teens who really don't enjoy the heigth). But a true show of bravery for Sheridan! She jumped off several times to her Daddy who was waiting in the deep end in case she needed help.


When I was a little girl, this is where I changed my mind!

Sheridan Swims!

Sheridan has always been so brave in the water...but not this summer at all! Last week when everyone was at camp she and I were in the pool and she decided she was ready! She couldn't wait to show Daddy! This is her big reveal!

 

 

 

 

I love this girl! 19 days and she starts her school years. Teachers and classes are posted tomorrow! OH MY!

Swimming for medals!

The girls second swim meet was last weekend. Wow! The pool at this location was 50M instead of typical 25M. So for example, when Erin swam the IM (Individual Medley) it was 50M of each stroke! WOW!

I was so proud of my girls! They seemed to have overcome the mental adjustment to a VERY LONG POOL, and they did so well!

Results:
Freestyle Medley Relay- Erin and Lauren - 6th PLACE OVERALL!

100 M Medley Relay (each swim one stroke) - Erin and Lauren - THIRD PLACE OVERALL! - 3:35

Erin - IM- FIRST PLACE!- 4:31:56!





Lauren and Erin swam the backstroke. Erin got 6th, Lauren 12th (out of 29 swimmers)



And, they both swam freestyle, Lauren's time: 43:68; and Erin's time was 47:75.

It was an awesomely hot and sweaty day at the pool! Next week's meet is at night!

American Gladiators

I will admit that on some Monday nights our family watches the new episodes of the American Gladiators. We cheer on the lean contestants who are challenged by the gargantuan Gladiators known as Wolf, Titan, Steel, Justice and Crush. We all try to say their names in a mysterious, tough way, it's pure entertainment as we laugh ourselves silly.

Anyway, anytime we're wrestling around we (and I mean they) say the famous battle words: "Are the contendors ready?" (answered with "oh yeah!" "Come on") and "Are the gladiators ready?" (answered with a wolf call, a grunt, "bring it on", etc)

This morning Erin and I went to WM to get groceries and when we return I can hear them laughing/screaming/cheering outside, so I look out and they have morphed into the American Gladiators/Circus of the back yard pool!

They are hurling, and I mean launching, my little 5 year old over...6 noodles, the hippo floatie, the beach ball AND the ring! And, they're celebrating! Sheridan is howling like a wolf to be launched into the air! OK, it's crazy and they're laughing so hard I do what any good Mom would do, I grab my camera!





This is the big one! Lauren and Sheridan are launched simultaneously and give each other a high five in the air! OH MY!



I need to go see what is on tonight- and what will be acted out tomorrow in the pool!

Water, water everywhere!

I'm so thankful for water! It's entertained my kiddos many days this summer! They're all so healthy looking from being outside...of course we have 4 varieties of sun block by the back door and in our towel bag! The girls didn't have any swim team this week because of the holiday, but that didn't keep us out of the water.


On Wednesday we headed to a very nice small "Aquatic Park" in a neighboring town. OK, so this is entertainment for everyone. Ryan invited his buddy Trey and wow are they growing up! These are not the 7 year old boys who used to play in the sprinkler!

It was a very fun day! Richard was at work and he was wishing he was with us!


Sheridan is typically very brave in the water, but it took her awhile on this particular day. Lauren finally coaxed her into sliding down a 6 foot tube and into her arms! No kidding, 30 minutes later Erin had her up on the 3 story slide and tube ride!





This is what the boys climbed all day! The next slide is affectionately known as the "toilet bowl."




Yesterday we had the Edington girls over. These sweeties are moving to ALASKA, next week! Their dad has been on church staff with Richard for about 6 years and they are taking a position in Anchorage at a church. This is no small feat. While Mom and Dad were having a garage sale (at which we got a BEAUTIFUL new desk) I brought the girls here for lunch and some swimming. Emily is the closest thing Sheridan has ever had to a best friend. That's mostly on Sheridan's point of view, because she calls her often on her fake phone and chats like it's real! We will miss them.

Let the swim season begin!

Lauren and Erin getting psyched up for their first meet!


Erin just bought her swim cap. She was born with hair, so this is the first time I've ever seen her bald! It took some getting used to.

Erin brought home a silver medal in the 50 meter backstroke.
Lauren and Erin brought home 5th place ribbons for the 100 meter freestyle relay.

Swimming is an awesome sport!

They will compete for the next 5 weekends, except July 2nd.