Swimming in the Heat

Jersey #1 had a swim meet this week, in the middle of the afternoon, in the middle of the business week.

The Referee said, "Don't these parents have jobs?  How can they attend a swim meet in the middle of the  work day like that?"

He has a point.  And, he had to miss the meet.  Because he has a job.  And, I am very grateful for that.

My eyes were opened to the fact that we are part of a swim team with folks who have money to register multiple kids on the team, buy new team suits (goggles, caps, bags, shirts, etc), and enough flexibility for meets in the middle of the day, in the middle of the work week.  Plus, they often go out for a meal afterward.  We may be out of our league here.  

Aside from that, this is a great swim team, with the most encouraging coaches, and friendly families.  Jersey #1 has improved so much in the past month, that she did not even look like the same kid, compared to the first meet.  Her swimming strength and form is growing in leaps and bounds.  Her confidence is also growing.  She is really enjoying swim team.  

Her goal was to not come in last place.  This cracks me up, because she has the athletic prowess of her mother.  I always enjoyed playing sports, and I enjoy watching sporting events, but I never had much natural athletic talent.  Jersey #1 achieved her goal in 3 of her events.  She came in 5th place out of 6 lanes of swimmers.  She swam freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke.  She also swam on a freestyle relay (which came in last place).  

It was an extremely hot afternoon.  We borrowed a shade tent, and packed a cooler full of drinks and snacks.  

We still sweated uncontrollably.  The heat was too much.  Jersey #3 took a nap in the shade.  

I slathered the kids in sunscreen, but some of us still managed to turn pink.  Jersey #1 burned on her face.  She now has a nice white crescent on her forehead, where her swim cap protected some skin.

Thankfully, there was a baby pool nearby, separated from the main pool.  I allowed the younger 4 kids to get wet in the baby pool.  I sat in the shade and watched them, then stepped out on the main pool deck to watch Jersey #1 swim each of her events.  We didn't bring swimsuits for the younger kids, so they just got wet in their clothes.  It was quite a blessing to be able to let them get wet and cool off.

Good times in the summer heat!