When we returned to Plainview, Emily decided she wanted to take gymnastics this year so she could learn to do a cartwheel. She took dance when we were here before, but had never done gymnastics. So, we enrolled her in gymnastics at a place called “Radical Cheer” that is located just down the street from here. Having never taken gymnastics before, she was placed into the beginners class. Most of the kids in her class are 4 & 5 years old. This does not bother her a bit. She is having a great time!!

There was a fundraiser for the competition teams last night. It was a barbecue dinner that included a silent auction, a cake auction, and the kids on the teams put themselves on the auction block to do light housework or babysitting (depending on their age). It was fun, but the highlight of the night for us was when the classes put on a demonstration of what they do in class.

Here is a video of Emily’s class…

Enjoy!

For the past two weeks, the kids have been going to swimming lessons at Texas Tech.  This is our second year to take lessons there.  We really are impressed with the program they have.  The kids learn a lot and have a great time.  And the price just can’t be beat. As luck would have it, these have been the coldest two weeks of the summer yet.  It’s been cloudy just about every day, so the water has been cold.  It hasn’t seemed to bother the kids too much.

There have been two notable differences this year from last year.

1) I didn’t have to swim. 

I like swimming, really I do.  But I would rather not have to participate in swimming lessons.  Last year, we signed Timothy up to be in the Aquatot class (3 & 4 year old) and Emily was in Level 3.  Both of these classes do not include parents swimming.  We didn’t sign Zachary up for anything, because we figured he was too young.  Swimming lessons for 2-year-olds wasn’t a choice in Plainview, so the thought hadn’t occurred to us.  Well, the first day of lessons last year, Zachary expressed in deep disapproval at having to just watch his big brother and sister swim.  Noticing his distress, the pool manager informed us that there is a class for 2 year olds.  It’s the mommy-and-me class.  So, I pulled out my swimsuit and got in the water with Zachary.  It was fun, but I was glad to get to stay dry this year since had graduated up to be an Aquatot.

2) We knew some other people at lessons.

Last year, we had lived in Lubbock for about a month when we had lessons.  This year, two other ladies from my work had signed their kids up for lessons at the sign time.  Between the three of us, we had signed 9 kids up in classes ranging from Aquatots to the Diving Class.  So, as we watched our kids swim,  the moms got to visit.  That was a lot of fun for everyone.  It has been a nice way to spend some time with friends and not think about the fact that we’ll be moving away in just a few weeks.

Now the part that you are all reading for.  Here are some pictures.  Emily was in level 3, Timothy in Level 1, and Zachary was an Aquatot.  All three kids mastered all parts of their class.  If we go back to Tech next year, which I think we will, Emily will do Level 4, Timothy will do Level 2, and Zachary will do the Aquatot class again (you have to be 5 to be in Level 1).

And, here are some videos.

Emily — Level 3

Her teacher was Kelsie.

Timothy — Level 1 His teacher was Kendall. (I know I took more than one video of him, but can’t find the others.  The others may have been on my phone that broke the day we moved )

Zachary — Aquatot

We found out today that his teacher’s name was Louis. Zachary has insisted on calling him Roger for the last two weeks.

I was in tears by the end.  Very powerful and moving

On the last day, it was drizzling outside, but I decided to take the camera out anyway. Fortunately, I snapped a few videos, without ruining the camera, so you can see how much fun they had. Now, most of the videos are from the last day and that was their “fun” day so you are not seeing all the “hard work” they put into their lessons. I’m proud to say that all three of them are a whole lot better in the water than they were just 2 weeks ago. I hope you enjoy the videos:

Swimming Lessons #1: Emily Diving

Swimming Lessons #2: Emily tubing

Swimming Lessons #3: Mommy and Zachary on the boat

Swimming Lessons #4: Timothy off the deep end

Swimming Lessons #5: Zachary off the deep end

Swimming Lessons #6: Zachary jumping from the edge

Swimming Lessons #7: Zachary riding the whale

I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did.

Let me also give some kudos to Lori (not the candy bar) for the ENORMOUS amount of time and work she put into leading the first and second grade choir this year. Having helped her a couple times this year, I cannot see why anyone would voluntarily put themselves through that and yet she does. I know that her time invested in their lives makes an impact and is a fundamental part of the church’s role in helping to raise children into godly adults. Way to go, Lori!!