Swim Meet Time

 

The boys all love the swim team but Mark kinda glows! 

I kept looking at Nathan's shoes with the thought that something wasn't quite right but I was so busy...finally I took a closer look...he had two right foot flip flops on! Oops! 

 

Happy Boy! 

(Somehow I didn't get any good shots of Luke but he was there & did great in his events.) 

Mark gets last minute advice from a coach before his part of the 100m. freestyle relay  (below) 

 

A Father's Day Hike

 It would be impossible to count the many times I've felt thankful for what an excellent father John is! The boys are very blessed to have him as their loving & conscientious & fun Dad.

First Swim Meet

 We had our first swim meet! Luke was a little nervous but did well in such a large crowd (maybe 100 people all crammed into an indoor pool) & Mark seemed to love it all & had some good races. I learned how to be a "timer".

This is our "home" pool where the boys practice 8 -10 hours a week. So far they are just loving it all.

I still have lots to work on...

I read this quote lately & it has stuck with me.

"No one can safely appear in public who does not enjoy seclusion. No one safely talks but he who gladly keeps silent. No one safely rules but he who is glad to be subordinate. No one safely commands but he who has learned well to obey."  

I think the ones re. talking & seclusion are the toughest challenges for me. Something to be thinking about....

Swim Team - I'm Singing It's Praises!

I've been concerned with how we were going to get through this Summer. The boys are ACTIVE & really don't do too well with a lot of free time on their hands. They are good boys. They just need structure. Lots of it. I was very literally asking God for some good ideas...

Anyway, we heard about a small local swim team & it has turned out to be WONDERFUL! My two older boys practice 2 hours every day M-F with coaches that swim at the University level. So, they are very knowledgeable swim instructors & are also really sweet with the kids. They come well prepared to teach & the kids have so much fun. They love all that practicing! (I'm kind of amazed at that because they haven't been fans of swim lessons in the past.) Even my little guy loves it because he gets to come & play in the shallow end with some other younger siblings. I am very thankful for such a quality program and, did I mention, it's affordable too! 

Thank you God for the Stingrays swim team! :) 

Pics to follow...first swim meet is next week... 

Summer Continues

 

 Maybe we are finding our "summer rhythm" because the last few days were better. Whatever the reason, I am thankful! We recently took part in a field day a bunch of us home school Moms organized & had a lot of fun! 

 I am pet sitting more with the travel season so we have all kinds of furry cuties in our home. This is "Ceci" the 12 week old Mini Schnauzer

...and of course, my sweet boy, Jake!

Maybe I'm going to survive this summer after all?

Summer Scheduling... Help!

I guess I was subconsciously dreaming of a relaxing & fun summer. Yesterday was our first official day of summer holidays though & "my bubble was busted" quickly. The boys were NUTS! 

I can see that we are all going to need more structure so I am trying to be creative...any great ideas?

This is what I have so far:


pool membership
more chores (I'm a mean Mom, right!? ;)
art type program at the library (only bi-weekly though)


I am also looking at getting at least Mark enrolled in a local swim team that is supposed to be really good. Nathan will take a few weeks of swimming lessons. They have a week of VBS as well, but I still need some inspiration to keep them meaningfully challenged & active. 

It's hard because that's what I've been doing the whole school year, as a home school Mom, & now I'm tired! 


Thanks for any & all ideas! :)