Lessons from the Pool

Dear Team Savage,

We looked for a neighborhood with a summer swim league for many reasons... the fun, the teamwork, the exercise, the skill sets. I could go on and on extolling the benefits. But in the "heat" of it all... between volunteering, practices, getting babysitters, etc., sometimes the reason of WHY we do it gets lost somehow.

When it is all said and done, it's the GROWTH. Your growth as a swimmer, your growth as a team player, your growth as a sibling (and mentor to the younger ones), and your growth as a player. Yes, it is at least as important to learn how to BE coached than how TO coach. Because in life, you end up being coached a lot more often than the other way around.

It's about our growth too... as parents. It's learning how to juggle things so that there are enough volunteers to run a meet. Even when I would rather it in the air-conditioning at home. It's about being hospitable hosts and sportsmanlike in wins and losses.

Because you are watching. And learning. And growing. And swimming.

Girl Scout Camp

It's the first day of a seven week trackout.

The girls are off to Girl Scout day camp.

Claire is beyond excited.

Emma is mildly annoyed Claire is old enough to join her.

Cooper got out his canteen and was upset he wasn't invited.

Grayson is bored.

I think we may need to plan a vacation from our vacation.

Two Hours Till Summer Break....

Yes, we go to a year round school. Yes, we've had three trackouts already. Yes, this year we get an actual summer too. Due to changing our elementary track to all kids on track four, the kids get seven weeks off ....starting in two hours.

So, it's official... a fifth grader, third grader, first grader, and preschooler. Not for the faint of heart.

The mood was somber this morning. The kids all voluntarily made cards and packed special treats for their teachers. Emma's teacher is having a baby then taking a year off so by the time she returns, Emma will be in middle school. Bittersweet.

It's always both exciting and heartbreaking to see the attachments they make.

Swimteam has started. That helps keep them busy...and we plan to roadtrip back to Indiana and Illinois. A beachhouse trip may be in the works as well, depending on work factors.

Memory-making in the works.

Let the summer begin!