Toast 2 Mom

5:30 a.m. Gonna Come Early

I have a cooler, a swim bag, an entertainment bag, a miscellaneous bag, a blanket, a chair and a flashlight packed and waiting by our front door for our 5:30 a.m departure tomorrow for Sydney's first swim meet.

She needs to be at the pool by 5:45 a.m. and in the pool by 5:50 for warm ups. The meet begins at 7:00 a.m. We got our heat sheet tonight, and Syd will be swimming the 25 freestyle and the 25 backstroke. We should be back home tomorrow by 11:30 or so. And so by lunch, it'll already feel like a full day.

I think I was born to be a swim mom. Well I'm sure there's more to life than being a swim mom. But it did allow me to bring my major organizing and packing mojo into full force. There is nearly a daily, if not two times a day, email about the specifics of being a part of the Sharks swim team. I truly had no idea the level of practice, communication, organization, preparation it takes to be a summer swimmer.

One of the nice parts, my kids are already asleep tonight - and it's not even 8 o'clock.

I think Sydney is excited. When I told her tonight about her events, she was enthusiastic - though disappointed that she didn't get to swim butterfly. She just swam the butterfly kick for the first time ever two days ago....but dog-gone it, she's ready to swim that race.

There is a high level of competitiveness in Sydney - but it only surfaces when she knows she's good at something. As a runner, her need to win is fierce. And if there is something she is so-so at or has only practiced every once in awhile, she is reserved and claims to be uninterested.

Swimming is showing different signs. I know she really likes it - even though she's not super strong yet. So some days she says, "I don't care if I win or not." Then she'll learn something new, and I can see that eager, winning fire in her eyes.

So, needless to say, this is going to be a great experience - one way or another - this summer..... And it all begins a dark o'clock in the morning.

Not A Cinderella Ending

Unfortunately my basketball team, that has provided a month of great entertainment, did not take home the big prize last night. So again this year Cinderella did not get the right fit.

I tell ya, it was pretty painful to watch the game. It was like there was this higher force pushing the balls away from going in the basket last night. I have no idea how to explain it except - just one of those nights. Too bad it had to be "the" night.

Part of me wonders if Butler's purpose is just to remain an underdog....for the underdogs. Would a win have changed things too much? Would a win have taken away the genuineness of this team and school? Is this just my rationale today - probably.

I'm still super proud to be an alum... and super proud to be a fan of a team that knows how to play basketball (though many were not sure last night). I'm proud of the hard work, team work, determination, clean, good playing and definitely coaching that was represented. There are so many sports and headlines these days of doing whatever it takes to win - instead of just working hard to win. Sadly, in this case, the good guys did not come out ahead. Well, let me rephrase - the good guys didn't walk away with the trophy this time - but they can definitely walk away with their heads held high for being an amazing, collaberative team.

See you next year Butler - third time will be a charm!

 

Bulldogs and Geckos

It's been a pretty laid back weekend. Well, let me take that back.... Mommy's heart has been a-flutter during this crazy basketball March madness. The alma mater Butler is showing their stuff again....and it's very exciting. So we've just been hanging around home this weekend with no real plans but basketball games.

It's also been a beautiful pre-spring weekend. Our trees are about all green down here. And our little friends are starting to come out. While trying to get a little yard work done, I was out blowing leaves off the patio today and spotted a beautiful green anole. (By the way, I'm not a lizard expert. But the girls are fortunate to have a reptilian expert cousin who informed us our green friend is an anole...not a gecko :) We had a family get-together with our friend. He/She particularly liked Sydney's dress.

 
 
 

Cheekers One on One Time Now

Prior to Cheekers' arrival, I participated in a couple one on one activities with Sydney. At six months, Sydney and I did a swim class together. Then around 18 months, Sydney took an art class. Though I was working outside of the home at the time, I did my best to try and have those activities together.

When I started staying home, over a year ago, I was excited for all of the activity time I would now have. Again, Sydney got signed up for dance, then swimming, then pre-school, then soccer. Poor little Cheekers has been patiently waiting for her turn. Today that day arrived. Cheekers started her first swimming class today. It is a mommy and baby class to get our girl ready to hit the pool.

She was very excited. We were all dressed and ready to go about five minutes early. That was a very long five minutes for her to wait at the pool door until we got the OK for class time. Cheekers wanted to do a lot of jumping into the pool. She jumped off the platform from the middle of the pool. She jumped off the side to me. She also went down the slide. Unlike the initial swim classes for Sydney, Cheekers is a no fear in the water girl. And that's exactly why I'm glad we're finally taking this class.

It's not the best photo, but here's a shot of our girl waiting for the class to arrive.

Run Forrest (Sydney) Run!

We had our second week of soccer yesterday. It's still hard for me to believe sometimes that I am a parent and that I am taking my child to soccer practice - but that's a whole other subject to write about.

Sydney was pretty enthusiastic between week one and week two of soccer. She wanted to go to the park a couple times and practice her "moves". Come game day, she seemed pretty geared up. What she wasn't so geared up for yet was competing with the boys to have control of the ball. This is the first activity she's participated in as a team. So it makes sense that learning the rules can take a bit.

After some convincing and persuading and parental manipulation, we finally encouraged Syd to get on the field and get into the action, steal the ball and kick it down the field. Now of course I'm going to say this, but our daughter is fast! We've taken her out running before and felt the girl had wheels. Now watching her with others....she can move quick.

After some motivation yesterday, not only did Sydney get into the circle of action where the ball was, but she got the ball away from the chaos several times and lead the ball down the field. However, we know what our next lesson is for her, when to stop. She got the ball at one end of the field, and kicked and ran and kicked and ran and kicked and ran until she was off the field and half way to the parking lot.

The Hubby and I were laughing so hard. It was just like Forrest Gump when he was playing football. Run Forrest Run.... now Stop!

So this afternoon, Sydney and I did drills in the backyard, and Mommy played the role of the net. Finally, a pretend role for Mommy that I can get in to. Looking forward to week number three.