Pat the "carrot"

Ally went to acting camp this week. They started each morning at 9 with Improv, then did singing until lunch and then spent the afternoon with creative writing and drama. We chose this camp because the lady that directed Mulan Jr was teaching the afternoon stuff.

She gets Ally and Ally LOVES her.

On Friday night, there was a "showcase" for the families to see what the kids had done during the week. They started with a couple of drama exercises and then did a game they had learned during improv. Here is a snippet of Ally's part:

I pretty much knew it was a big deal when Ally received a CD and lyrics for the week. She was to learn 6 songs before Monday and then each day add more. It was amazing how much they taught these guys this week.

Here is another snippet of Ally:

Also, during the week, they were to develop a character that they had never heard of before and create a monologue. We had received a letter telling us to have them start thinking about their character and what they would look like, act like, etc. On the way to the swim meet last weekend, I told Ally that she needed to start thinking about her character. She knew exactly what she wanted to do. The only help she got from us was typing up her monologue.

Here it is:

It wasn't even close . . . she was the BEST!!!

RACE league championships

She really hates the IM.

Look at that dive! (shes the one all stretched out)

Hayden winning her heat.

Getting ready to seal the deal in the Mixed relay.

The girls did great at Race league championships. Here are the results:

Ally

4th in 25 meter free out of 59 swimmers

6th in 25 meter backstroke out of 52 swimmers

6th in 25 meter butterfly out of 21 swimmers

1st in 8 & U Mixed Medley Relay(set a new record)

1st in 8 & U Free Relay

Hayden

9th in 50 meter free out of 66 swimmers

9th in the 110 meter IM out of 16 swimmers(2nd time to ever swim this event)

10th in 25 meter backstroke out of 59 swimmers

They both swam really well. My proudest moment didn't come while they were in the water. The 9-10 age group for Athens is loaded with very fast girls. There are about 8 or 10 of them that have been swimming well all summer.

Typically, you pick your 4 fastest for the "A" relay and then the next 4 for the "B" and so on. Hayden has been on the B for both medley and free. She has been really working to get on the "A" relay. At one of the meets, she swam the 2nd fastest 50 free time which put her having the 5th fastest time overall.

One of the girls on the "A" relay wasn't going to be at State this year, so the coach "gave" Hayden her spot. Hayden swam with the relay at District and was slated to swim with them at this meet. Right before the relay was to swim, the coach asked Hayden if she would give up her spot to another girl that had swam a good meet and wouldn't get to go to state. Hayden agreed.

The coach talked to Ben about it and he made sure Hayden was ok with it. We knew she had made the right decision, but we also knew what she had asked Hayden to give up. The relay ended up setting a new record, one that hadn't been broken in 8 years, and everybody went nuts. Pictures, celebrating, cheering . . . and there stood my baby.

Of course there were tears in the car and lots of remorse from all of us, but I am so proud of her sacrifice.

However, if this little girl(that swam in Hayden's spot) acts like a brat at the swim party, I will, however, go nuts. And not in a "make your Momma proud" kind of way.

It might be his sport, but it's my stroke!

Ben's influence over "our" activities is certainly evident - basketball and swimming. However, few know that I too was a competitive swimmer. I was all over backstroke. And the girls? Yep, they've got skills from their Momma too.

Sometimes it takes 2 coaches "behind" Ally.

Hey Dad, could we just get this IM over with already?

She is big time in the lead!

(she dropped 3 seconds off her 50 free time here)

Here it is - numero uno in backstroke!

And don't forget the lollipop for winning her heat. It's all about the food!

Not really impressed.

Ditto!

Take it up a branch.

As I have been replaying the conversation with Ally, over and over and over, I came to a realization. It is very similar to a conversation my Mother had with one of my sisters when she was younger and on the way to school . . . elementary school. Perhaps, just perhaps, this particular sister's son doesn't necessarily have the same personality traits as my sweet little daughter, but it all starts a little higher up the family tree.

Like maybe with her. Here's to butterflies and rainbows JK!!!

The Van.

I have a love / hate relationship with my van. I love that it has been a good vehicle with few problems. I hate that it is a van. I love that it has lots of room for friends, extra family members, snacks, trash, clothing and anything else that we can cram in. I hate that it is a van. I love that it has taken us on many fun, family outings. I hate that it is a van.

That brings me to today. I'm not sure where to categorize the many conversations I've had with my kids in the van. Sometimes I love them, sometimes, not so much. I'll let you decide for yourself about the following:

Ally : "My thumb hurts."

Mom: "Where did you hurt it?"

Ally : "In the shower."

Mom: (I was expecting her to say it was from learning to dive off those dumb blocks at swim practice) "How did you hurt it in the shower?"

Ally: "You know the thing you use to get hair off your legs?"

Mom: "My razor?"

Ally: "Yes. My legs were itching from the hair so I shaved them. How are you supposed to do it?"

Mom: "I'm really not wanting to tell you until I check out your legs. Did you take the cover off the blade?"

Ally: " Well of course."

Mom: "Did you run your thumb over the blade?"

Ally: "Yep"

Mom: "Did it bleed?"

Ally: "No."

Mom: "You really shouldn't have done that."

Ally: "Well you should've come back to the shower."

Mom: "Well you shouldn't mess with grown up stuff. Did you really shave your legs?"

Ally: "Yes. Why? When are you supposed to shave your legs?"

Mom: "I guess when you're 12. I'm going to need to see your legs when we get home."

Hayden: (after feeling Ally's legs and giggling) "Yep, she shaved 'em."

Ally: "I think you should buy Daddy one of those like you have. Was I supposed to use shaving cream?"

Mom: "I'll tell you when you are 12. What do you think your punishment should be?"

Ally: "I guess not take a shower in your bathroom ever again."

Mom: "Ally, that's not punishment, that is FACT. "

Thank goodness she didn't find Ben's head razor and decide her scalp itched.