Adventures in synchro

Tomorrow I leave for Colorado. We (the kids and I) are going to see some friends who moved a couple of years ago, and also to leave Olivia at the Olympic Training Center for phase 2 of the National Team Trials.

While the other three kids and I are having a great time doing vacation-y things, Olivia will be back in the pool, stressing herself out over such things as a swordfish, a kip, a really, really fast routine, a sustained spin, and flat splits in the water. I think she has done all she can to prepare, I just hope that she keeps the home-sickness at bay so that she can do her best.

I have been with her for all of the really important meets up until now (except for one, and she didn't do so hot at that meet). Sometime or other, she has to grow up and learn how to do her best without her personal cheerleader, but it does make me a little sad that I won't be there. It is also a little worrying that if she does do her best (and makes the National Team), she will be gone for almost 2 weeks. That's a long time for an 11 year old to be away from home. I told her to pack her favorite "Olivia the pig" blanket, just in case she needed a little bit of home. I think she thinks I'm crazy. I'm so proud of her, and it's so exciting that she is one of only 16 girls in the ENTIRE country that gets this opportunity, but I'm going to miss my B.

But enough of that, I just want her to get out there and show those other girls what the youngest among them can do! Go for it, Olivia!

New Respect

I have new respect for all synchronized swimmers today. I have long known that it is a difficult sport, and takes a lot of skill and athleticism. But, now I really know. Like in, I have tried it and failed miserably!

Here's the story. Back in June, when Olivia competed at the Grand Canyon State Games, there were two Master's routines that swam. Master's is for anyone over the age of 20. A group of coaches from one of the other teams swam, and four ladies from Sun City West. I think their average age was 82. So, I got talking with a bunch of synchro mom friends, and we decided that next year, we would swim a routine. I mean, how hard can it be, really? And if 80 year old women can do it, then so can we! Right?

So, one of those moms and I decided that we better start swimming now to get in shape, so we don't completely embarrass ourselves. We swam a few laps a couple of weeks ago, and then last night we went with Olivia to practice and decided to really give it a try.

Let me just say, I am completely out of shape. Or maybe my shape is just super jiggly and weak. But after a pathetically few number of laps, I felt like I was going to throw up and then I could finally understand why some swimmers cheat on their laps.

So, after resting up for probably way too long, my friend and I started to try to do some figures. The operative word here is try. I have no idea how any synchro swimmer does anything they do. I couldn't even do the basic of the basic. How sad. We tried to coach each other, but since neither of us really knew what we were doing (you'd think we would after the amount of time we spend at practices, but apparently we really don't pay attention), it didn't go well. Finally, Olivia took pity on us and gave us a few pointers. I still couldn't do any of it, but after some encouraging words from both Olivia and her coach, I guess I'll give it another try tomorrow.

I'm not sure the routine next June is going to happen. I think this body is too old to teach new tricks to. And it has too many parts that hurt, or don't work right, or are too chubby, or too flabby, or just plain too old.

I think Olivia is embarrassed by me. And I can't say that I blame her.

six!

I can't believe my baby is SIX!!! Yesterday was her birthday, and in true Julia fashion, there was NO WAY we were going to forget it. She reminded us about 20 times a day for the last week, and was so disappointed that I didn't have presents wrapped and piled on the table for days beforehand. As it was, we managed to fill the day with enough stuff that she was content to wait until after dinner for presents and cake. Dad even made it home for dinner by 6, and then it was all about JULIA!!
She is such a girly-girl. Way more so than her sister. She made me a birthday list that had nail polish, makeup, jewelry and other girly things on it. Luckily, it's easy to get that stuff! She was very excited about it all, and immediately had to wear her new headband, earrings and lip gloss. She wanted to paint her nails right away, too, but I managed to convince her to wait.
It's so hot that I really didn't want to make her a cake. So, we went shopping and she found one that she liked, and the best part was that they wrote on it for her, in PINK!

Unfortunately, I didn't realize while we were at the store that I didn't have any candles. So Dad "Macgyver-ed" a candle for us. (Really just a match that he stuck in the cake). But before she could blow it out, it went out. The look on her face says it all...

But then, she did manage to blow it out, and all was well!

Happy Birthday, Little Stuff! We love you!

eSynchro Age Group Nationals

Olivia and I just got home from Nationals. Here's the scoop:

Team finished 5th in the Nation!!!

Duet finished 5th!!!

Trio finished 4th!!!

Olivia finished 16th in figures and qualified for phase 2 of the National Team Trials next month at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. AWESOME!!!

We had a good time, but I'm glad to be home. Florida is beautiful, but I'm glad I live in the dry desert! It was nice to have a break from my own kids, but I was glad to turn those 8 other girls over to their parents! All in all, it's good to be back.

And...

a few days before we left for Nationals, Olivia was honored with the "Athlete of the Year" award at the end of year party and award night. WOW! It's been a great year for her, we are so proud of all she has accomplished.