Swim Team!

Jared had his first swim meet tonight and I could not be more proud of him. I have to admit that swimming and swim team is not something that Jared really wanted to do. I think it was seeing the big kids practice that intimidated him as he couldn't swim as well as a 14 year old. We tried to explain that he is really good for a FIVE year old and that's who he would be practicing with and racing. So, even though he was reluctant, I signed him up and have been "encouraging" him the whole way (sometimes even bribing) ... at least until this point. The kid is a good swimmer and he's at a great age to really master his strokes, so yes ... its something I really wanted him to try. Swimming is a great sport for learning endurance and breath and the first individual (not team) sport he has ever done. Being the firstborn, Jared is very much into doing everything RIGHT and swimming is HARD. Learning new skills like this is seriously hard work.

But ... here's where the proud part comes in. Jared has worked SO hard. He has made Tim and I so very proud. In two weeks of practices, this kid has swam hundreds of laps (each practice is a full hour of nonstop swimming!). He has mastered the side breath in freestyle, started swimming backstroke, and worked on a mean breast stroke. No easy feat for a 5 year old!!

Tonight was his first CCL meet at the Arizona Country Club. It was fun to think back to being a kid and swimming on ACC's swim team - ironically with the same coach (Coach Ron Gerke - in the blue shirt/white hat) that coached me as a kid! I was pretty bad, admittedly, but I still remember it being fun. CCL is a pretty low pressure way to "compete" in swimming. There are 4-5 kids in a heat and everyone gets a ribbon; most are on the same beginner level (phew!). It makes it super exciting for the kids and not the least bit discouraging no matter what your swim level.

We arrived plently early tonight to get some good practice in ...

Jared's strongest stroke is the freestyle. He made it in second place (and was only a few seconds behind 1st - darn! He told us on the way over that the ribbon you really wanted was the BLUE one! Ha ha!)

My adorable grandpa, our Dja Dja, came down to see Jared's meet. Dja Dja was so sweet to Jared, pictured here with my Aunt Barb - who took some AWESOME pics I'll post in a bit ...

Jared and his Daddy between events (and Caleb - being a total trooper)

"On your Mark ... Go!"

I love this pic of Jared coming in to the end of the lane ... Dja Dja looking on, Aunt Barb snapping a pic, and Erika cheering her heart out!

What a fun night. The best part is that Jared conquered some fears and finished all three strokes strong (Free, Back, and Breast).

2 weeks ago he couldn't even do the backstroke without sinking - or the breast stroke really OR take a side breath. And tonight he rocked it. The only event he was really nervous about what the backstroke as he doesn't yet go so straight on his back, and he wasn't sure he wanted to do it. I was so suprised to hear that he was going to do all three events! He was such a brave boy and did his best and swam a great race. It's hard for Jared to hear and accept how good he's doing in terms of personal improvement vs. actually winning ... which I guess that's a good lesson for us all. I think that's why this has been and will be such a good exercise for him in discipline, goal setting, and hard work - what great lessons to be learned at this early age.

In the parking lot before the meet Jared asked me, "Mom, why are we doing this again?" Yet, after leaving the event tonight with his three hard earned ribbons he was so excited and all smiles. I'm so glad he made it to this point so he could get to the fun part. It was all the more special to have had family here to cheer him on. The whole night was such an answer to prayer.

Way to go bud. We're so proud of you.