Town Pool

Friday afternoon we took to town pool.  She goes all this week for Camp Splash, but I wanted to spend some time with her there first.  I got to see her going off the diving board, rope swing, and deep water slide with confidence.

Girl is officially able to swim.

Schwim!

The first swim meet is complete and she said it was "fun.  no, it was fantastic".  She looked so at place and at ease as she mingled and chatted with different kiddos and coaches between events.  They put her in the 25 free, 25 back, and 25 x 4 free relay where she was the 2nd swimmer (so she started in the pool off the wall).

All that matters is that she had fun.  It's exciting that she did great with her starts (although we haven't mastered diving much less diving off of the block, but we're working on it) and finishes (pushing those hands into the wall fast and hard) - even in the relay.

The times to beat (as she now competes against herself) are now set:

25 Free - 40.54

25 Back - 52.87

25 x 4 Free relay - 2:19.22

I'm pleased to say that the relay team wasn't in last place.

I wish I had more free time and easy access to a pool (why didn't I buy a swim-spa?) so we could 'practice' more together as we did in Cococay.

Start of Summer

Summer is busy for us.  We already took our first cruise where girl had a blast.  She was tall enough for the Flowrider, so she was out there perfecting her boogie boarding skills.  She still loves the rock wall too.  Without hesitation she's doing the water slides and even the Abyss dry slide w/o fear.

A pre-vaca trip to the library and she checked out 7 books.  Granted, she only got through 2 before their 2 week due date, but now that she learned about their reading challenge she's even more committed to get through the others -- and win some prizes.

The first week of swimming went well, she loved it!  The first practice she swam 300 meters!  I'm impressed.  We missed the second week, and the first swim meet, due to our vacation, but we're back to it today.  While we were on vaca we worked on her freestyle a bit together and instantly saw an increase in speed with better breathing practices and she worked worked worked on her freestyle in Cococay's swimming pool.

Today is her first day of 'schoolwork'.  I love that she's to the point with her personal discipline and reading abilities that we were able to create a to do list that she can refer to each day.

1).  Reading for 20 minutes.

2).  2 pages from her bible workbook

3).  2 pages from her handwriting workbook

4).  2 pages from several sections in her 2nd grade workbook (Writing, Grammar, Space/Science, Math)

Matter of fact she's out there right now reading - and she even set herself a timer.  I'm almost obsolete at this point.  I'm proud, but sad at the same time.

Next week she has Camp Splash at the town pool.  I hope our weather stops acting a fool so the pool isn't freezing and she can get more practice and play in.  This will disrupt some of our 'schoolwork' but we will still get some learning in.

Goodbye 1st Grade

Poof.  First grade is finished.  The girl reads remarkably well and is interested in it.  She's outstanding on spelling and digs math.  Her bestie at school was Leah.  I've heard nothing but good things about who she is - she's sweet, well behaved, smart, all the things.  I couldn't be more proud.

Splish-splash

Next week the girl will step away from Jujitsu/Muay Thai during the week to give swim a try.  She wanted to do the Kraken swim team, so here we are.  This of course means I need to hurry and get some supplies (flippers, backup goggles/cap) but also a racing suit.  She's not going to be happy about that last one as they aren't as modest as she prefers.  I'm hoping if she gets to pick which ones she wants she'll be more filling to wear it.

A day off

Memorial day, quite literally the start of summer.  This year it marks the last week of school.  Girl had a great weekend sleeping in, hanging out with her bestie and neighbor friends, and -- best of all -- not doing homework.  They've already brought home some books that we keep too.

I started to make a lunch for tomorrow, the next to last full day of school, and I had a moment.  I realized that as annoying as it can be on busy days to need to make a lunch and snack before I can call it a night - before I know it this will end.  For now, just for the summer, but at some point there won't be lunches to pack.

I am just a few days away from having a second grader.  That doesn't sound bad, but 8 is looming, half way to driving!  She's so tall and her voice is even changing.  She is, by far, not a little girl any more.  Slow down.

All the things

Here I am, very behind again.  Avery is doing quite well at school - to a fault honestly.  When she had a B on something she brought home she was rather displeased.  It's hard lesson when things come pretty easy most of the time and one she doesn't like to hear - but some things require practice and you won't be good at everything.

Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai continue to go well.  She has her days where she doesn't want to go, especially if it is gi on, but for the most part she seems to enjoy it.  At this point she is a 3 stripe white belt.

She is in the midst of another round of swimming lessons at the high school - I think this will be her last set.  She successfully swam the full length of the pool with a few head pop ups to breath.  I think she is on track if she wanted to try out for Kraken's swim team, not that we have enough hours in the day for all the things.

Catechism wrapped up the week before Easter, giving us the chance to sleep in on Sundays.  ... and let's be honest, first grade is almost complete.

Her summer is starting to shape up.  Again she will go to our church's summer fun week, and likely the presby church's vacation bible school (depending on when they're having it -- yet to be announced). We have two weeks of vacation planned again as well.  In between those things we will squeeze in 2-3 weeks of Camp Splash. Polish it off w/ a couple of weeks sleeping in and chilling... and her summer is completely spoken for.

I'm fine. *swoon*

Girl was up before me this morning.  I came down to find her fully dressed for school and watching TV.  I guess she got a good night's sleep.  Her eyes were still watery and she wasn't reading the fever she had last night, but still I convinced her it was best to stay home.  She is a trooper.  We'll see how well she is feeling based on how much she fights me on the nap I told her she had to take mid-day today.

Fever!

This weekend was packed.  Avery got to spend time with her bestie.  Saturday we went bowling, out to eat with his family, and then to an arcade.  She brought along his Valentine gift with a homemade card.  God bless the gal, she's bold - she straight up asked him to marry her and said if not, you're my boyfriend.  Today (Sunday) we went to a local fundraiser event called Sweet Sunday and sugared up.(after cathecism and church).

She was off all day, but went down hill fast later in the afternoon.  Before I knew it she was cold and was asking to go to bed at 6:30pm.  By the time I tucked her in she had a 99.5 reading at her ear and a 98.6 at her forehead.  She doesn't get sick often, I'm not used to seeing her like that.

I guess I need to look up the procedure for school if she wakes up not where she needs to be.

Growth

Last night she got on the scale and weighed in at 59.5 #.  How?  She is still so trim.  I had asked her in the morning if she grew again as she looked taller, so we measured - and she sure did - 4'3".  One more inch and she can ride a ton of other amusement rides.

Muay thai and Jujitsu are going well, it is easy to see her improvement.  Managed to secure her second stripe even.

Music lessons have been so irregular due to the teacher fighting off sickness and she hasn't grown to enjoy that yet.