Swim Team

Dear Jax,

When I found out that joining the swim team was cheaper than having the coach come to our house for private lessons, I knew you were going to be a Bridlewood Torpedo!  Shockingly, you weren't excited about it at first but I told you that this was the one sport that I was making you try and, if you didn't like it, you could quit after only 1 season.  It was a non-negotiable for me since we have a pool in the backyard -- it's simply a must for us to be proficient swimmers.  Lucky for us, there are no try-outs for our neighborhood's team (because, prior to this season, you only knew 1 of the 4 strokes)!

Starting on May 18th, your age division had practice every week day from 4:30 - 5:15.  The coaches gave you some great instruction but also kept it fun!

Once school was out for the summer, your practices changed to 8:45 - 9:30.  

You loved playing with your friends after practice each morning.

Your first meet was an away meet @ Canyon Creek on June 9th.  I spent most of the meet aghast!  There were hundreds of people crammed around the pool, construction going on just a few feet away from the lanes, and weather delays.  They ended up cancelling all the relay events just to fit it all in.  That meant that we drove out there and waited in that miserable heat for HOURS just so you could swim 25M.  It was 5 hours of chaos and 29.42 seconds of pure joy as we watched you swim freestyle.

You were too nervous to even attempt the dive block!

A friend told me, "You'll either love swim team or hate it." and, after that meet, I knew which way I was leaning...

Your next meet got a little better.  It was also away (@ Heritage) but it was better organized and you swam in 4 different events!  Unfortunately, you weren't feeling 100% so your times suffered.  You swam the 25M Free in 33.26 seconds and tried the backstroke for the first time and completed 25M in 46.85 seconds.  I think your favorite part might be waiting in the corral!  Sitting around with your friends, playing games while eating?  Heck yeah!

On the way home that night, you asked how many meets you had left.  We thought for sure that you were asking because you weren't a huge fan so we said, "Just two more to do, bud."  You replied with a disappointing sigh and told us that you wanted the season to be longer!  

And that's when we knew that you were hooked on yet another sport!

Your attitude even went on to earn you "Swimmer of the Week" for your age division!

 The final two meets were at home and they were the best!  We competed against Wellington and Lantana and it was a fun scene being surrounded by neighbors and friends.  

Your freestyle improved to 24.23 seconds and your backstroke improved even more - finishing the season with a record of 33.52 seconds.  

Everyone celebrated jobs well done by renting out Hawaiian Falls one night.  We had the park to ourselves for 3 hours and it was awesome!  Your coaches presented awards & then you were off running around with your buddies.

I shouldn't be surprised but it's hard to believe that you're now active in 3 different sports!  

Swimming was way better than I ever imagined!  It's a great way to condition during the "off season" and you learn invaluable lessons along the way!

All-Star Baseball

Dearest Jackson, 

Towards the end of the rec. season, your baseball organization hosted try-outs for their two All-Star teams.  You and about 60 other 7U players showed up and were scored on catching fly balls, fielding grounders, and batting.  You were thrilled to find out that you were one of the 24 to make a team!  

Your team got to practicing right away and it was awesome to watch you play with others with your skill level.  You had a tournament every weekend in June and practices 2-3 times each week.  It made for a CRAZY busy start to our summer "break" but you loved every minute!

The biggest part of All Stars is competing in the AAYBA (American Amateur Youth Baseball Alliance) tournament.  It was a week long and involved hundreds of teams!  There were 21 teams in your age division and the majority of them were select teams.  It was an eye opening experience, to say the least.

I was ready with my baseball nails and necklace : )

The tournament started with an interview.  Each player had to turn in their original birth certificate and was then asked questions (birth date, birth place, etc.) to verify their identity.  

The ball fields were packed on opening day!

Your favorite part was being paraded onto the field as your team was introduced in the opening ceremonies.  

You had 6 games that week.  Some were first thing in the morning, others were mid-afternoon, and some were at night.

After a week of playing hard, your team was awarded a 3rd place medal in the Bronze division.

You traded pins with various teams all week and now we have this towel as a special keepsake.

You liked your All Star coach so much that you're going to be playing on his rec. team this fall.  For now, we have a 6 week break from organized baseball....although that hasn't stopped you from playing it in the yard all the time ; )

  

Heellllloooooo, Summer!

Dearest Boys,

Friday, June 5th, was our last day of school!  Our neighborhood celebrated that night with a fun bash at the amenities center.  There was food, live music, and a few inflatables.

Jax, you found friends from school and pretty much ran around with them all night.

 Grandpa and Grandma's neighborhood celebrated summer the following day.  They also had food and inflatables but they also had face-painting!  Their neighborhood always brings artists to their clubhouse but neither of you have ever been interested in having it done before.  But something was special that day as you were both game!

So, your first ever face painting turned you into an Avenger and a tiger! 

An Avenger and a tiger who are ready for SUMMER!!!  : ) 

Pre-K Graduation

Dear Colton,

Please believe me when I tell you that God speaks to you.  Sometimes it's in a whisper and sometimes He makes things abundantly loud and clear.  It was just 1 year ago that we heard God telling us to take you out of Stephie's house.  We heard him but we didn't understand.  We had it all planned out, you see.  You would stay under her loving, patient wing for another year...then we'd send you to pre-school for a year...and then we'd enroll you in Kindergarten when you turned six.  It was just 1 year ago that I was sobbing on her shoulder as I told her that you wouldn't be returning to her house and that we had the daunting task of finding a school for you.  It was just 1 year ago that we were touring various schools and telling them that we were looking for a 2 year commitment as you wouldn't be starting Kindergarten for a while.

And then August 2014 happened and you marched into Legacy Learning Center without a single sign of trepidation.  Your teacher spoke so highly of you and it wasn't long before you were counting by 2s, writing your full name, and speaking in Spanish!  Everything clicked.  You were where you were supposed to be and you were showing us that you were capable of far more than we'd given you credit for.  

So, when the letter of intent came asking whether or not you'd participate in their graduation ceremonies, we listened to God.  You'll be one of the youngest in your Kindergarten class, but we know you're ready.....thanks to Steph's nurturing and Legacy's rigor.

Graduation was sweet and emotional & I hope I never forget it!

The graduates had their photos decorating the wall under the title When I grow up, I want to be...

You filed into the room one by one and you acted nervous right away...

...but then you started performing the songs you had rehearsed and you shined!

Every graduate was called up to receive their "diploma" and you got the walk across the stage.

The families gathered together for cake and punch afterwards and I worked to maintain my composure.  Now, first day of Kindergarten will probably be another story...