Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Swim Team


Ah, summer. Emma was on the swim team for the first time last year, and this year Ben gave it a go too. I can't say enough about how much he's improved because of it. Before the season started he was hard pressed to make it all the way across the pool with out stopping to hold on to something. After just the first week of getting in the water so frequently and getting some good instruction it's a breeze now. His first attempt at backstroke was hopeless...his body vertical as his arms flailed two or three times before grabbing the wall. But after just two days of working at it he knows what he's doing. He's doing it correctly. He reported, "Backstroke is my favorite, I was going so fast..." They were both so excited for the first meet, Emma was positively bubbling as she showed Ben where to put his towel and explained about the snacks and playing with all the other kids on the team and cheering and most importantly writing all over yourself with a sharpie. It's been fun to have two kids swimming this year. Neither one is a superstar at it. No blue ribbons so far, and perhaps there won't be at all by the end, but that doesn't diminish their love of the sport. And their individual improvement is what has me sold on this every summer for as long as they're game.

9 comments:

Brad said...

holy cow they look big. can these be the same kids that susan babysat just a few years ago? One stranded while hanging from a shelf yelling "shusaaaaannnnn!" the other just cooing and pooping...

Unknown said...

It doesn't take a blue ribbon for a mother to be happy knowing her kids are water safe.

Not drowning is what is really all about. :)

Not drowning with Sharpie is even better.

lisa said...

Emma looks like a superstar in that first picture! So fun for her to show Ben the ropes. Maybe Josh next year?

cally said...

Emma is buff! And Ben looks so cool. Of course.

I always wanted to be on swim team. Those kids were always quietly cool. Cooler than the soccer kids. And muscley.

I love it.

joelb said...

man do i hate the backstroke - good luck ben (and emma).

do they still have the big regional meets at the end of the season?

Jeanne said...

Jared was a swim coach for awhile and LOVED it!! The kids were so fun and that's what he really liked to: watching how much they improve.

Ditto Cally...the swim team kids were always cool!

Sharlene, Mom, Grammy said...

Wow--all grown up. I remember the days when their Mom was a little six year old and swimming in her first meet. Many years of wonderful swim team memories. It's the best for summer fun.

Kay said...

Wow! Emma and Ben look great! I am so glad they love to swim, what a good sport to choose.

nbarnes2 said...

yeah for swim team! i was never great but i competed for like several years. looking back i think it was mainly for an extra hour in the pool. today i struck me how much emma looks like you (first picture) and ben looks like scott (second picture) for some reason those just stood out to me.