Change isn't always easy

We finally bit the bullet and changed swim teams. It got to the point that things were not going to improve. After a year of waiting, and listening to empty promises and excuses we left. We completed the season with our team at the championships this past weekend and it was over. TT really loves swimming but the coach of our old team was killing his enthusiasm. It is hard to get kids excited about something if; 1) they don't improve their skills due to the coaches lack of well "coaching abilities" 2) the coach misses 3 out of 4 practices a week on a regular basis or 3) when the said coach is out, two of the three "assistant coaches" do not have any real competitive swim experience.
With all this said. We held on for months. We kept thinking it will get better. But it didn't and after a while you just get tired of waiting. Our choice of teams has caused quite the controversy but I think it is the right choice for us.

A Busy Weekend

This weekend we were looking forward to my hubby coming home for a few days. I pictured just hanging out, spending time together. Well, we will be together but not at home. TT has two swim meets this weekend. First, we have to attend the meet his USS Germantown team is hosting in Memphis on Sat. We have to be up at the crack of dawn and in Germantown by 7:15 for warm ups. Then Sunday is the MSC finals in Memphis. At least this brings the MSC season to an end until this summer, but the USS just keeps going. Now we go into long course season.

He loves swimming but unlike most sports that only last a few months a year, swim is year round. Then, of course, I have Poogie in dance. We are still going 4 days a week. TT only has one class but it keeps us there late one day. I was hoping after Nutcracker things would slow down at the dance studio, but they have not.

We are looking forward to attending the spring production of Cinderella in the audience. Poogie is looking forward to attending her first tea party too.

It is a busy, crazy life, and yes I do get tired. But it is so worth it when you watch you children love something and excel at it. Suddenly all those hours of sitting by a pool or at a dance studio seem so unimportant and so worth it.

First USS Swim Meet

TT had his first USS swim meet this weekend and man was it awesome. He was so nervous, but he ended up swimming great. It was his first time swimming in front of his new coaches and he wanted so badly to do his best.

Saturday he swam both the 50 free and 50 backstroke. He wasn't expecting to place in the top 10 but low and behold he placed 9th in the free and 8th in the backstroke. He swam his best backstroke to date.

Today he swam the 100IM and 50 fly. He started out really good in the IM but the breaststroke was the killer. He ended up getting DQ because his kick motion was not just right. They are very picky and his breaststroke needs a lot of work. In his favorite event the 50 fly he ended up turning in a good time and placed 4th.

What made today even harder was one of the best butterfly swimmers on the planet was watching TT swim. To say it made him nervous was an understatement. Gil Stovall of the US Olympic swim team (he swam the 200fly) was at the meet to help coach the Memphis Tiger Swim Team that was also competing. TT got him to sign his swim cap Saturday and today got him to pose for a quick pic. He was gracious and supportive of all the young swimmers. As I watched him though out the day interacting with the young MTS swimmers I was so overjoyed to see a gifted athlete like him work so well with these up and coming swimmers. So here is the pic of TT and Gil Stovall. What an awesome experience.

Swim Team Banquet

Last night we got to enjoy the company of our fellow swim team members at the swim team banquet to honor our swimmers for the '08-'09 season. We had a great time visiting with friends and some good food too!

The swim coach from the USA team came to the event, so TT got to meet one of his new coaches for the upcoming season. He is so excited about joining the USA swim team! But he doesn't have to wait long since practice starts Tuesday.

After dinner the kids swim coach, Ms. K, gave out awards for the year. These included ribbons and medals from the Championships in Tunica, to individual awards. TT received two silver medals from Tunica in butterfly and freestyle relay, a fifth place ribbon in backstroke and in freestyle, and a swim trophy. The big honor of the night for TT was receiving the most dedicated swimmer award of the boy swimmers. I was so proud. He was truly dedicated. This is a first for him to give his all in a sport. Here is TT receiving his swim trophy.

Poogie received several ribbons from Tunica, a swim trophy, and the most dedicated award for girl swimmer, too!!! I was overwhelmed to have both of my kids recognized for dedication! You could say I was a very proud momma!

Here is Poogie receiving her swim trophy from her coach, Ms. K. These little trophies were so cute they were bobble headed!

I will post the pick of them getting their dedication trophies when I get them from a friend. I was so excited I forgot to get a picture.

Now all this leads up to a new swim season beginning Tuesday. It will be different swimming USA. TT will train 4 days a week and the meets will be bigger and more intense, but he is looking forward to it. Poogie opted to just do dance. That was fine since she has 7 classes, 3 nights a week.

I plan on spending the rest of the weekend setting up my school room and getting ready for the week to come. Will post more on that later.

Tunica Swim Meet!!

We have returned from the final swim meet of the season in Tunica, MS. I can't believe it is over. But what a time we have had this summer. TT and Poogie have enjoyed every minute of the swim meets and practices. I have to admit I was even a little sad to see it all end. And man what a way to end a season.

The aquatics center was awesome. The kids really felt like they were in the big time with the digital scoreboard, touch timers, and cool down pool. Even though we were missing several team members we still put on a strong showing.

Of course things were a little crazy. The organizers changed some things around that was confusing and nerve wracking if you have a very nervous child like mine, but it all ended up well. TT missed his 50m butterfly due to confusion and had to race with the little ones. He didn't swim as well as he had all season in that race but he made that up with his best swim in back stroke ever. Even his turn was great!

Poogie did excellent. She even had to take the place of one of the 11-12 year old girls in a free relay. It was so sweet to see my little Poogie standing there, her head only reaching the middle of most of those girls. She swam a strong 50m free style, doing a flip turn like she had been swimming 50's all year in competition. She amazes me.

My hubby even got in on the fun being a timer. He really enjoyed himself. We all returned home yesterday exhausted, but happy that we had taken the chance and given swim team a try. What a ride.

Today Poogie started her dance camp. There are only 7 girls attending this camp, which is excellent for Poogie. She will get a lot of one on one time with both friends and teachers. She also added tap to her dance classes for the fall. She never really liked tap at her old school but wanted to give it a try since she likes all her other classes at her new school so much more. So as of now she will be taking 2 ballet, 2 acrobat, 1 jazz, 1 hip-hop, and one tap. I may need to just buy a small camping trailer and move to the school parking lot for the next 9 months.

After this week of dance camp I will have 2 whole weeks free of any commitments. I hope to scrapbook and get the house organized for school. I can hope anyway!

Swim Meets!

Last night we had our second swim meet of the season and it was a blast. Swimming has turned out to be one of the best activities we have ever tried. Both Poogie and TT love the meets and practices. The meets offer them a chance to spend time with their buddies and make new friends with kids from the other teams. You can make the meets as competitive as you want to, which I just love. Both of mine are competitive to a point but not to where it isn't fun anymore. They just enjoy being out there and doing their best.

This was a great pic of Poogie and TT before the meet. They actually love being on the same team. Plus, mom only has to be in one place to see them both, a great bonus.

This pic shows the main reason we love the meets. TT and his buddies hang out between heats. The friendships are great. They support each other while swimming and amuse each other during down time.

This pic did not turn out so good but I had to show Poogie hanging out with her buddies too. Plus, this pic also includes one of their coaches, Ms. A. They have been so blessed to have such sweet supportive coaches.

This pic is of TT on the starting block. Don't you just love the suits. At first the boys really didn't like them because of the bubbles on them, but after going to a meet and seeing how great they all look together the love them.

Here is Poogie on the starting block. She looks so tiny up there, but that doesn't stop her from kickin' butt.

This meet required them both to compete in four events. TT swam the free, back, relay and 100meter IM. Poogie swam the free, breast, relay and 100 IM. This was the first 100 IM for both of them, and they had to swim it at the end of the night. It was hard on both of them. What was amazing was seeing my 7 year old swim the same event at my 12 year old. They both finished in the middle of the field. Which was good with it being Poogies first time and longest swim ever (most of their swims are just 25 meters on one length of the pool, not 4), and TT first time and having to the the breast stroke his least favorite. For those of you that don't know what a 100m IM is it requires the swimmers to swim 4 lengths of the pool, swimming a different stroke with each length. The order of stokes was butterfly, back, breast and free. I will post the results of their heats when I get them tomorrow.

They have both been swimming with the year round swim team at practice, and I have to say it has really paid off. Their endurance and focus just amazes me. I am so proud of them.