Boy Power!

I teased the girls before they left by telling them that we (the boys and I) were going to party it up while they were gone. I was just kidding, but Jackson overhead me and he was NOT. He kept asking when the party was going to be so I called on my neighbors to help me throw one....thanks Audra, Nicole, Debbie and Stacey for coming over to swim with us! We had a ball!

As much as I hate to see myself in a swimsuit (or any of you for that matter!), I just couldn't pass posting this picture! You can just see how much fun Teague was having sliding down the slide with me!

Here are a few snapshots of the kids swimming:

We did popsicles at the end of the party! Yummy!

All Stars

All Stars was a new experience for this family. Bailey has swam for several years, but she finally made it this level and she was so proud of herself. I think she was a little intimidated by the size of the Natatorium and amount of people that were there to watch all the swimmers when we got there, but I think her favorite part was when everyone was waiting outside for the doors to open and when we walked up everyone started yelling, "Here's a swimmer- let her by..." so she got to go in early and pass up all the others standing outside!

Ready to swim!

Go Bailey!

Bailey got 14th place for her individual breast stroke and her relay team got 5th place for their medley relay and freestyle relay. Bailey was disappointed with her results so we discussed what it would take for her to improve the next year...year round swimming. I have mixed feelings about it since it is such a time committment, but this is the first sport that she absolutely LOVES! We'll be thinking it over the next few weeks.

Proud Mom and Dad!

Proud brother and sister!

Bailey was also so excited to have Carey, Todd, Nanny and Grand Dad there to watch (somehow I never got them in any pictures- urghh!) and it really meant a ton to see them show up just for HER! Thanks guys! You rock! Seriously.

We're going to All STARS!! Yeah Bailey! Go Geysers!

This morning was an early one. We had to be at Finals at 6:30 a.m.! Bailey was so excited to race today and even went to bed early last night so that she would be well rested. Coach Derek always has something special to tell the swimmers before they head out to race and this morning was no different. He knows just how to pump them up!

Bailey is chillaxin before her first competition.

Medley relay team- First place!! They are going to All Stars!! Go girls!!

Bailey gets 2nd place in breast stroke...she's going to All Stars!! Kate took 1st Place on breast stroke so it will be her and Bailey representing the Geysers at All Stars.

SOOOO super PROUD of my girl...she qualified for individual breast stroke and the medley relay and the freestyle relay!

During this meet, I was emailing family members with the updated results. I knew they would all want to know how she did, but I was so super excited to hear from Jerrod's family all the way in Amarillo. They wanted to surprise Bailey...they are getting in the car and heading down here (10 hour car drive!) to see her swim at All Stars! We cannot wait and we cannot wait to see Bailey's face when they show up! Awesome!! Go Bailey!

Finals and Greatwood Geysers End of Season Swim Party

Yesterday the girls competed in prelims which qualify them to compete in finals for our division. All the girls did awesome! The finals competition that will be held in the morning and Bailey is competing with her Medley Relay and Freestyle Relay team, freestyle, breast stroke, butterfly and as an alternate in backstroke.

As with any commitment, when it's over - IT is TIME to PARTY!! The Geysers celebrate with pizza and good ole' fashioned fun...swimming and playing in the pool! T train even got to hang out at the pool for once. I had several people comment on how they finally get to see our "mystery child" since he doesn't come to the pool with me. After a couple of minutes, I think they could see clearly why he doesn't come with us. He had me running in circles and of course, wouldn't stay by me for one minute! We have started calling him the "T train" or "Texas Tornado" because he'll have you spinning in no time!!

Our first Mock Swim Meet

We had our first mock swim meet tonight. This is a perfect opportunity for the team to see who is swimming strong in the particular strokes and a closer look at times. The times help the coaches set the line ups for the "heats" and allows him to put together relay teams.

We always have a good time at meets. They are HOT, HOT, HOT, but so much fun for the kids and the adults have a pretty good time themselves. It's where we get our social "fix" for the first 6 weeks of the summer and where a lot of good times are had.

Even though this meet wasn't for real, it was still a load of fun. It was Jackson's first experience at "racing" in the pool and he took to it...he thought it was fun. Here he is heading out to his first race!

Check out his dive... LOVE this picture!

And he's still smiling! It went well...he didn't even hang on the ropes in the middle.

The girls had a good time hanging out with their friends and both of them did well on their times! Emma got first place several times and Bailey did too. As much as we are happy for them, I don't think they really care and we certainly don't care what place they come in...I just want them to have fun and try their hardest!

But more importantly....HAVE FUN!





Here is Emma doing the butterfly stroke. I was her lane "timer" so she smiled at me the whole way down the lane! I think she liked us screaming, "faster!".

Oh NO!! It has begun...

The craziness has officially begun. Our 3 oldest have started swim team and that involves many goings to and from the pool here in our neighborhood. Right now, it's after school so we have to rush home and get homework completed and then start with Jackson going from 4:10- 4:50 p.m. Bailey and Emma both swim at 5:10 p.m. 5 days a week so there is just enought time to pick up Jackson and head home to get Bailey and Emma ready and then we are OFF again!! The meets each Monday make it worth it- it's a big social event and I enjoy it just as much as Bailey, Emma and Jackson do!

As you can see from this picture, Jackson was on time for his first practice with the Greatwood Geysers. I swear, I don't know how it happens that we are always late. My intentions are always there...poor kid. (The second practice he showed up just a few minutes late, but his swim trunks were on backwards- the bow was right above his hiney...it looked real cute as another Dad pointed it out to me. I am sure he thinks highly of me, right?) Being the obedient student: kicking on command.He has already found himself some buddies to hang with...

A successful first practice for Jackson! Bailey and her crew:Emma and her buddies:

This is all I got of Bailey swimming:I must have gotten a dozen pictures of this swim across the pool. I zoomed in and out trying to get the most "action" shot I could because I THOUGHT this was Bailey all along in the black goggles...good grief. You've got to be kidding me- it's not, but I promise you that the last one is... Or at least, I think it is.

Swimming in January

The girls had a lemonade stand today out at the end of our street since the weather was so beautiful. It got up to 73 degrees and so they asked to swim. Jerrod warmed the hot tub and we took the safety net off just far enough for them to enjoy the water. Chloe, from next door, was over (she just moved here from Canada) and so she got to enjoy the pool too- I bet that is a first!!! Anyway, it was fun for them to practice their jumps for the summer and splash around together. Teague thought is was neat too- he smiled from ear to ear!