Lightning Strikes at our 2nd Meet!

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Lots of build up to tonight's meet --- Matthew being confident, Andrew excited for another chance at a 100-free and being thrilled with how much his breast has dropped lately, and Margaret going head-to-head with Lulu again after squeaking out two hairline victories last summer.  

Needless to say, it was quite disappointing when a significant, wide cell moved through and the meet was called half-way:-( The kids were seriously bummed about the races they didn't get to swim.  Margaret only got through 2 of her 5 events.  She's rocking butterfly and didn't get to swim, and did not get to compete against Lulu.  She also would have done her first 50-free last night---under the lights---an event that's only offered in 3 meets all summer. So while
no one was sad to leave after just two hours of competition (4 hours total), it is honestly disappointing not to be able to see what you were capable of in certain events and to miss the opportunity for certain match-ups. 

Contemplating the race - first leg this week of the relay.

 

 "When are they going to finish singing the National Anthem?"

 Hanging on every word of Coach Bri's...

Swimmers, take your mark...

Breast - second leg of this winning medley relay...
2:55.62 to the second place 3:24.54. 
And he crushed the competition in his 50-breast....1/18.  With a time of 46.91, second place was 9 seconds later at 55.78.

 Definitely no false start here! 

Priceless conversation on the way home:  

Matthew:  (Sad) I didn't get to swim backstroke.  That's another heat winner I couldn't get:-(
Mom:  Matthew, do you know what the most important thing is about meets?
Andrew: Oh! Oh!  I do!  Mom, may I tell him?
Mom:  Fire away...
Andrew:  Well, the 3 most important things about meets are:
    1 -  To have good sportsmanship, especially to the other team.   
    2 -  To work your hardest - try really hard at everything.
    3 -  And to have fun! 
Matthew (in the sweetest, 5-yr-old voice):  Oh, yeah.  That's right!  

Score one for team parenting!!!  Good to know that at least some of the lessons we try to instill in them are taking root:-)  

FINALLY!

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This kid has waited 5 years to sit on a blue bench w/ his very own blue card:-). So fun to see his excitement, and then the sheer bliss of popping up with nothing but pink heat winners.  It's gonna be a fun summer!

 

 

Buddy Clay finally joined Fairview this summer!

 So very proud to be boasting his sharpied events:-) 

Nothin' but smiles!

 So sweet when the 6 and unders hold hands to walk to their relay lane assignments.

 

 First meet at Fairview and the Cors' are already representing with the flag!

 Ready to go!

 Last minute words from Coach PJ.

 Waiting for swimming #3, our tough little anchor!

 Matthew and lifelong buddy Clay!

Free relay, then free and back.  After his second race, "Look, Mom!  I got another pink heat winner!"

 Hard to believe she was actually a 6 and under last year and that this is her first official year swimming 7-8's.

 The instruction never ends.

 Matthew's first backstroke - I love how they teach them from the very beginning how to do it all---no sugar coating or waiting until they're older.

 

 They each swam in the A Freestyle Relay for their age groups and each won---it's gonna be a fun summer! Andrew also rocked his 100IM - what an exhausting race, but he loves every bit of the challenge! 

Matthew's First Race - Free Relay - First Place

Margaret's Free Relay Win - Anchor (did not record Andrew's Free Relay win----four kids swimming 50's takes too long, even with their quick time!).  

Matthew's first solo race - pretty good freestyle for a 5 year old!

Smith Mountain Lake

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Can't even say how very much fun we had at Smith Mountain Lake.  Summer weeks in Michigan with the Barkers on Glen Lake will never be beat, but when that's not possible, SML is a nice, close alternative. 

Injured bunny we tried to help...

Such. A. Patient. Teacher.

Definitely not the red neck lake anymore.

"I'm NOT tired!!"

Weigleins!!!

Love having the Weigleins with us:-)

Special family.  Special friendships.  

Get Well Soon, Granddaddy!  Surgery #4 in 6 months - yikes!

Flashback to his second summer at swim meets!