Okay so there is quite a bit of snow and wind

It is a little bit blizzardish outside. But it wasn't too blizzardy for me to make it to chorus rehearsal and Hank and Gary to the swim meet (one event down, one to go, 22 YMCA teams - ugh). Gary called and said the previous 8 and under boys 100 free relay record still stands (there was no expectation that it would fall today) and that there are quite a few energetic children milling about the aquatic center. Getting snowed in there would not be a good thing.

The concert is going to rock. The orchestra does things I've never heard before. I don't know when the woodwinds and brass players breathe. It would not be surprising to see a few bows and mallets go flying during the performance. It's the coolest choral music I've ever heard or sung. I'm feeling very fortunate to be in it and to have a husband who takes care of things at home so well on a busy week like this.

Yet more swimming

Gary and I were convinced that the swim meet last Saturday (sectionals) would be the last of the season. We are ready for a break. The swim team has involved way more swimming than we expected. But Hank has really enjoyed it and we've all made some nice friends with the parents as have Hank and Hope with the other kids. But the swim meets are LOOOONNGGG. Parents with older kids tell us how nice it is with school swim teams when the competition has a much more narrow age range. With club meets like the Y there are so many age groups that the meets go on for hours.

So we thought we were done with the season until I learned tonight that Hank's two relays qualified for the state meet. Hank is excited and we are so proud (a little surprised!) yet very, very tired.

And I guess I will have to miss it because we have el grandé choir rehearsal that same day. So. Sing or swim? I guess both. Mr. Bickerson will have to cheer twice as loud as usual.

GO HANK!!

Results

Apparently Gary and I were both too foggy-headed from the chlorine fumes to realize that Hank came in first place in the 25 yard breaststroke. And there was more than one swimmer in the event!

Hank, for a kid who couldn't swim the length of the pool this summer, you've come a long way baby. We are proud of you and your hard work.

Swim like a fish

I have only one complaint and that was that the swim meet was FOUR HOURS LONG. But as a mother of a child who has sunk like a stone in swim lessons for the past two years it was AMAZING to see him swim! There's some kind of magic involved in blowing a horn to signal the start of a race that allows your child to actually remain on the surface of the water not just for half the length of the pool but for two lengths! I don't think he's ever made it the length of the pool doing the freestyle but under the pressure of racing today Hank swam the 50 yard freestyle without stopping to clutch of the side of the pool. I couldn't believe my eyes. And it was difficult to see because there were some tears in the way. He also swam the 25 yard freestyle and the 25 yard backstroke. Most important of all, he loved every minute of it.

Slideshow here.