Water-logged

Sissy swims on a non-competitive swim team with our local aquatic center.  However, in the summertime, they have meets with other local teams, who all range in skill level and competitiveness.  It's a fun way for Sissy to compare her ability against others, and to also have the excitement of a swim meet. Booney likes these meets because she can use her hollering skills to cheer Sissy on.  Booney's big mouth hollers as loudly as an ape on fire.  

We spend a fair amount of time watching Sissy practice, but the evenings are so nice it's hardly a sacrifice.

And then we get to watch her compete, which is the best part...well...minus the baby-wrestling.  Apparently a 1-year-old isn't keen to sit nicely in the bleachers during swim meets.  I don't know what that's about.

In any case, we sit and wrestle and holler and beam with pride.

It's even inspired Baby to be a swimmer like her sister.

Sissy is contemplating joining the middle school swim team in the fall.

I sure hope she does.

I just can't get enough of the baby-wrestling. 

Is it July 4th Already?

We have been bouncing from one activity to the next throughout the entirety of June.  When Independence Day rolled around, we was tired-ee, tired, tired.  

We had discussed getting up early and catching a parade.  When the morning dawn broke, Michael and I decided we didn't want to deal with the masses of candy-grubbers. So we had a leisurely morning instead.  When Sissy emerged from her cave sometime near lunch, she asked when the parade was happening.

Oops.  

Let's just say that the news of our ditching the festivities didn't land well.  There were tears. And yelling. Sheesh, I didn't realize the parade was that important.  We quickly distracted Sissy with an apology and lunch from McAlister's.  She loves that place.

We didn't have any other plans so we settled in for a day of lounging and movie-watching.  (Hey, we was tired-ee, tired, tired. Don't forget it's a free country and I can celebrate my Independence on the couch in my jammies if I want.  And I want.)

But then my friend texted early afternoon and invited us over for a 4th of July pool party and BBQ.  Okay, okay - that seems better than lounging. So we went.

Sissy swam, Michael and I ate and visited, and Baby finally let our friend play with her.  He's been trying since her birth. They went in the pool and everything. Success.

By nightfall, I was ready to put Baby in bed so Sissy and Michael ventured off on their own to find fireworks.  They parked at the mall and had a moderately successful viewing area.  The only downside was that it took 45 minutes for them to drive the 2.4 miles home.

I admit now that we should have gone to the parade and been more 4th of July-ee. It makes the day more meaningful to actually celebrate our Independence, rather than just eating lunch on the couch.

I guess it's true...you're never too old to learn something new.  Next year.  Next year.

Happy 4th of July!

Drama

Sissy wanted to participate in a summer theater camp with the same group she performed with for Seussical the Musical. The camp began 2 days after we arrived home from Oregon.  I was tired, barely unpacked, and there we were, awake at dawn to get to the theater by 8 am. 

No matter...it's only sleep.  I haven't had much of that since having a baby anyway.

The musical was Matilda, Jr.  I was excited about the show and hoped all day that Sissy would get a good role. When I picked her up at the end of the day, I could tell that Sissy was unhappy.  She cried as we walked to the car and barely said good-bye to her friends as we left the theater.  In the car she exploded with emotion.  She didn't get a speaking part and was only cast in the ensemble.  Most of her friends had speaking parts.

I was heartbroken for her.  Sissy declared that she was going to quit the show and the whole thing was unfair and lame. She was only in 2 songs and it was a stupid waste of time. I also felt indignant for her.  How could my daughter not get a part?!  I honestly didn't really mind if she wanted to quit the show - it would mean I wouldn't have to wake up at dawn.

But then I remembered that I have to be the responsible parent.  Poo.

Michael and I talked with her about the importance of fulfilling obligations and sticking to things even when they don't go our way.  She wasn't convinced and insisted on quitting.  We encouraged her to be responsible and follow through. By that evening, she agreed to continue with the show and try to have fun anyway.

It was difficult for Sissy.  She held some disappointment all the way to the end.  But she still showed up every day.  Even though she was only on stage for a few scenes, I sat in the audience and exploded with pride.  I was watching my daughter perform with grit and integrity.  I loved it.

So did Baby.  She was enraptured.

Sissy's only request was a box of Bottlecaps at the end of the show.  Did you know that you can't just walk into any store and find Bottlecaps?  I know that now.  

She chose Domino's pizza as her celebratory dinner.  We sat on the couch, ate pizza, and celebrated Sissy's accomplishments.  

I'm incredibly proud of her.  Man! I'm a really good parent.