18/2

9, half way to 18 is what it really is and it makes me sad.  Girl took the school transition like a trooper.  I lost our quality time waiting for the bus, which I hadn't really thought much about before the year started.  We're working on our new routine.  I can't believe she's in 3rd grade.

Major Improvements

We missed the first two swim meets this year due to vacation, but were able to attend last night's home meet.

Overall her relay teams didn't have the greatest showing.  For the 100 yard freestyle relay they came in 12th, but her split was 26.16s, not too shabby.  For the 100 yard medley relay they came in 9th and no clean split time was reported for her leg (she swam butterfly).

Independently her times are greatly improved over last year.  More practice and skill, for sure, but coming off of the blocks well makes a huge difference:

• 25 butterfly she was 3rd place scoring 3 points for Kraken with 26.74s.  For comparison, last July 10th she swam this in 33.00s flat.
• 25 free she came in 5th place adding 1 point with 22.25s.  Again, looking back to last July 10th, compare that against her 36.99!

She 100% earned 2 ribbons on her first meet of the summer on her own.  That's a big deal and I'm very proud of her and she seemed pleased.  I reminded her it isn't about the overall place, it's about improvement and beating herself.  Fact is a few of the swimmers that edged her out were less than a second faster.  Improving starts and driving into the wall harder will resolve that 100%.

Last full day of 2nd Grade

Today is kiddo's last FULL day of 2nd grade.  We have 2 more half days, but heaven knows there isn't much going on this week.  Her class earned an all day game day today too.

As the year wraps up and I look through the treasures she brought home from school I can't help but smile.  There are adorable and amusing drawings, elegant cursive practice sheets, and even a few love letters!  My kiddo had an amazing year.

She's already a bit sad to be leaving what she knows as "her school".  She'll miss her friends, she'll miss her teacher - even if she wouldn't have her next year because "at least I could see her in the halls".  It's sad for me and a bit scary - but I think I'm making the right choice for her.  Now if June 1 would just go ahead and roll around so I can get her registered.  The waiting is unnerving, even if there isn't a way they could decline her.

First Holy Communion

This past weekend kiddo celebrated her first holy communion.  It was marked with a small gathering (given the limited space we had available to us at the church).  She looked beautiful in her dress, veil, and blinged out shoes - and a good time was had by all.

This is symbolic also of the end of the 2nd grade school year which is quickly approaching.  She had a field trip for her enrichment class on Monday to the science museum and will be headed to the Bradford house with her class later this month.

It is also the time when I need to get her booked for the summer.  She is interested in swimming on Kraken again, so I registered her there last night.  I still need to figure out when she can go for Camp Splash for a week or two amongst the other summer activities already on our calendar.  I also want to be attentive to ensure we schedule some time with friends this summer before the big school switch happens.

Last week she got her top/front braces put on.  It was crazy how much those teeth moved in the first day.  Fortunately, that was the only time she indicated some pain, the first morning after.

Jiu jitting Time Away

Last post I mentioned girl got her first red stripe... since that post she tested and was promoted to her gray and white striped belt AAAAND she got her first stripe on it.  She's locked in on some aspects and I've seen a leap forward in her skills there.  I'm very proud of her progress and persistence.

Developmental swimming has ended.  The 3rd marking period is over and we had straight As again.  First confession is in the books and her first communion is coming up soon.

Summer weather is creeping in, so the evenings are drawing us outside to play or to walk/ride bikes.

The expander sits in place still at this time, but we're getting ready for the braces to go on at the end of the month. It has given enough space that the top two teeth are finally coming (they've been missing since August/September). She's definitely had another growth spurt.  All... the... things!

Full Steam Ahead!

This year has been charging forward quickly.  The second round of developmental swimming classes is well underway.  We continue to go to jiu jitsu and muay thai.  At jiu jitsu she recently got her first red stripe on her white belt and then tested for a new belt.  Much to my surprise she was presented a gray with white stripe belt last night.  She also was invited to join in the advanced striking (muay thai) class and went to the first of that last night.

We're getting ready for her first confession at the end of the month in preparation for her first communion.

To my shock last night she asked if I knew what a "first period" was.  Oh no.  My heart sank.  Turns out a girl in the other second grade class got hers.  I feel so bad for her, that's so young, ugh.  I did my best to explain to girl and answer her current questions.  We watched a couple of videos too.  Hopefully it's a few years off for my gal.

Merry and Bright

Christmas vacation has been great.  Both kiddo and I have taken advantage of our time off.  She asked for three things from Santa and was happy to receive all three -- none of which were big price tag items, so I can't complain.  She has her new games for the Switch, a holder for those game cards, and reader books to enjoy.  She also noted her favorite gift was one she didn't even ask for - her first few Pokemon cards.

Today we took a perhaps premature run to a local store to assess what is out there for first communion dresses.  To my surprise not only did she like several dresses ("I love it") but we ended up leaving with one!  I'm thrilled with the price point and she was comfortable in the dress - win, win.

As we move into January the next session of developmental swim will spin up.  Their focus will be on breaststroke and butterfly.  I'm looking forward to seeing her progress further.