Reading & Swimming

I uploaded a TON of pictures from the past few months and most of them were of the kids at their swim meets. Here is one that Christopher liked! It shows him swimming hard at one of the many swim meets he swam in.

Even though it's off season, Christopher has been thinking about swimming a lot lately. He has been reading an autobiography of Michael Phelps--No Limits: The Will to Succeed--that he bought at the Book Fair last week. He found a picture of Michael Phelps in the book that looks similar to the picture of him above. He was pretty excited to put this photo as our background on our new computer.

We may have to print it out poster size for his room to keep him interested in swimming...

Swimmers, Take Your Mark!

It doesn't seem that we ever get a weekend where we can just rest! This weekend was no different. Since Christopher and Anneli have both joined swim team, our Saturdays are filled with Swim Meets! YIPPEE!!

It's nice to see the kids having fun cheering on their team mates...



Swimming fast.... getting a last minute pep talk before getting on the block...

posing for a picture before getting on the block!

chilling with friends, waiting for their next event...

as I volunteer as a timer for the team! :)

Our Two Little Fish!

Anneli is very brave this fall and has joined Swim Team with Christopher! YIPPEEE!! That means I don't have to entertain her during the many practices and LONG swim meets, like I did last year with my many bags of tricks and quiet toys! YIPPEE!!! I can watch the practices/meets, read a book, visit with friends, or play with my phone! :)

Today was a practice swim meet where the kids just practice like it's a swim meet. It was fun to watch all the new kids, like Anneli, jumping off the block and swimming their little hearts out.

We are very proud of our 'Two Little Fish'. They are doing a super great job! Way to go Christopher & Anneli!

Christopher getting ready for his heatstopping to pose before getting on the block,
Anneli at the Practice Swim Meet!!!
Sitting quietly waiting for her turn. She's sitting with her good friend Syd. Look how little she is--her little feet don't even touch the ground!!

She's a little nervous as she approaches the block---or the edge of the deep end of the pool!

No fear---there she 'dives' right in!!

She's swimming her little heart out as everyone cheers her on from the bleachers and side of the pool!!

Time for backstroke. She takes a minute to look at the crowd and then says loud enough for everone to hear 'Hi Nick--am I doing it right?" Nick is one of her coaches and also calls the heats. Everyone laughs and thinks she's so cute! The kids know Nick very well since he has taught their swimming lessons since they were 6 months old!! That's probably why she's not afraid to swim with all the big kids!

Way to go guys! Keep up the great work!!

Summer Swim Meet

This summer, Christopher joined the Summer Swim Team. Each morning he woke up a little before 8am and was off and running to the High School pool for 8am for practice. He missed a few weeks because of our Pennsylvania vacation, but he pretty much went every morning other than that! Way to go, Christopher. It was great practice for the upcoming fall Team!

On Thursday, July 22nd Christopher had his Summer Swim Meet. He did a great job and was happy that his good friend joined swim team too!

We hope you join in the fall, 'Z'!! :)

February Update...

It's definately been awhile since I've posted last! As usual, things have been rather busy here! So sit back and take a look at what we've been up to!!! Sorry it's so long, but enjoy the pictures!

The first weekend in February Christopher was on cloud 9 when he and Shaun spent the night at Mystic Aquarium. It was a Scout Sleepover night and he had a blast! Parents and kids in his Scout Pack couldn't believe how knowledgeable he was on marine life. That's our boy---his first grade teacher last year thinks he's going to write Marine Biology Textbooks! :) We'll see! The next morning, even though it was FREEZING, Anneli and I met them there to walk around the Aquarium. We weren't there long, since it was so chilly, but it didn't matter since we have a family membership there. It's always nice to walk around and listen to Christopher tell us all about each animal! You'll have to go with him sometime, he's a great tour guide!

Disecting a squid! I heard he LOVED It! That's my boy! I always loved stuff like that too!!The Saturday before Valentine's Day we headed up to Canajoharie, New York for 'Soup' Mem's Birthday! We had a great time enjoying each other's company, playing with puppies, enjoying super yummy lasagna and cake, and playing Wii. It was great to see everyone!!!

Then Sunday night (Valentine's Day) the kids and I, along with my mom, piled into our van and drove to Greenville, South Carolina to visit with my sister Jess and her family. The kids were so excited to surprise their cousins Cole & Carter! They sure surprised them! It was a fun week--not a warm week though!!! BRRRrrrrrrr it was rather chilly!! We saw Ringling Brothers Circus elephants marching down the streets of Greenville one night heading to the Bi-Lo Center from the Circus train. It was fun, a little chilly and disappointing that there were only about 5 or six elephants!

We went to The Greenville Zoo, the circus, Gatty Town (sort of like a Chuck-E-Cheese with a movie while you eat), and Frankies Fun House too!

Then we drove all the way home to Connecticut so Christopher could attend his Swimming Championship Meet! I was worried that he would be super tired, but he seemed okay! Better than okay actually! He shaved time off his freestyle and finished under 30 seconds for the first time! YIPPEE!!! He finished 4th in his age group for backstroke and he finished 7th for Freestyle! Way to go Christopher!!!! That means that the swim season wasn't over for him yet! He made ALL STARS!!!! opps! We sort of promised him that after Championships the swim season was over!! OPPS!! That meant he had two weeks of hard practice since All Starts meant he had to swim all four strokes: backstroke, freestyle, butterfly, breaststroke and an IM! UGH! Poor kid!

He was super excited about the trophy and metal he won!!

So for two long weeks, he was at the pool every night swimming as Anneli and I sat there watching and waiting. She was a trooper! She has totally mastered the DSi! :) Good thing Santa bought that stupid thing! :)

After two weeks of intensive practices, the All Star Swimming Pentathlon was upon us! We woke up early that Saturday morning and headed off to West Haven where we sat, he swam, we sat, he swam, we sat, he swam, we sat, he swam, we sat, he swam again, and we sat some more! He did an awesome job!!!! He came in fifth overall for his age group! He swam the butterfly for the first time and came in 6th place. He then came in sixth for Backstroke, fourth in freestyle, and fourth for the 100 Individual Medley! Way to go Christopher! We are so proud of him!!!

Go, Chris, Go!

Christopher took a little break from swimming to play some Nintendo DS with his good friend and fellow Scout Zak.

Last week, the Swim Team had their annual Swim Banquet. It was very nice! Here is a picture of Christopher getting some awards and gifts from his coaches Marc and Bridget! Way to go Christopher on your first year of swimming!!! :) We can't wait until summer swim team!!

Just because the swim season is over doesn't mean things slow down here... Stay tuned for more posts for what we are up to now! Hopefully, I'll get to it sooner than this post...