swimathon...

If someone asked you to say how many laps you could swim in 90 minutes, would you know how to answer that?  Buddy could tell you.  He had a swim-a-thon to help raise money for his swim team (thanks to all who helped by donating, we appreciate it).  The kids were given the challenge to swim as many laps as they could within 90 minutes.  Buddy thought he would be able to swim 70 laps, which in the pool he swims in equals one mile. 

Well, Buddy blew us away with swimming not only 70 laps, but 138 laps in those 90 minutes.  That is almost two whole miles!!!  He only stopped a total of four times to take a drink and that is only because Dad stuck a water bottle in Buddy's face.  We are so impressed with his determination and stamina.

up to beginner...

Buddy is no longer a novice at swimming.  No sir.  He is officially in the beginning class.  He is amazingly better than he was in September.  We were so proud of him during this mini meet.  The difference he has made in one month since moving up is incredible.  He can now do flip turns and is getting his left arm out of the water (he previously had issues with that).  Here are a couple of swimming pictures and one of him receiving his towel (a gift for moving up a level) and another of him modeling his towel.  He is awesome. 

blue and gold...

I know at some point in my life I have been to a Blue and Gold dinner before.  My brothers were both scouts and although it's been awhile, I'm sure I attended one before.

Sometimes we forget about the smaller achievements that cub scouts do.  For example:  Buddy is on the swim team.  Well, for cub scouts he can earn both a belt loop and a pin in swimming.  So that is what he received during the awards portion of the dinner. 

These were the requirements:

Belt Loop

Complete these three requirements:

1. Explain rules of Safe Swim Defense. Emphasize the buddy system.
2. Play a recreational game in the water with your den, pack, or family.
3. While holding a kick board, propel yourself 25 feet using a flutter kick across the shallow end of the swimming area

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Sports Pin

Earn the Swimming belt loop, and complete five of the following requirements:

1. Practice the breathing motion of the crawl stroke while standing in shallow water. Take a breath, place your head in the water, exhale, and turn your head to the side to take a breath. Repeat.
2. Learn and demonstrate two of the following strokes: crawl, backstroke, elementary backstroke, sidestroke, or breaststroke.
3. Learn and demonstrate two of the following floating skills: prone, facedown float, and back float. The purpose of the float is to provide the swimmer the opportunity to rest in the water.
4. Using a kickboard, demonstrate three kinds of kicks.
5. Pass the "beginner" or "swimmer" swim level test.
6. Visit with a lifeguard and talk about swimming safety in various situations (pool, lake, river, ocean). Learn about the training a lifeguard needs for his or her position.
7. Explain the four rescue techniques: Reach, Throw, Row, and Go (with support)
8. Take swimming lessons.
9. Attend a swim meet at a school or community pool.
10. Tread water for 30 seconds.
11. Learn about a U.S. swimmer who has earned a medal in the Olympics. Tell your den or an adult family member what you learned about him or her.
12. Demonstrate the proper use of a mask and snorkel in a swimming area where your feet can touch the bottom

After the dinner and awards, we found out there are so many belt loops that would be easy for Buddy to earn in a pretty short amount of time.  However, we won't forget about the requirements that will have him earn the rank of Wolf.  It's a family effort.

another big meet...

Buddy has been swimming for 5 months now.  He had another big meet today.  About 200 kids showed up for this meet.  Mom was working as a timer again and Dad had to miss the first event Buddy swam in.  But Buddy did awesome anyway.  He was scheduled for six events, but was only able to compete in three, as the other three were on the Sabbath.  He swam the 50 backstroke, 25 butterfly and 25 freestyle.  He did very well.

*Added later-Buddy came in 4th of 13 in freestyle, 4th of 12 in butterfly and was disqualified in the backstroke due to flipping too early.

big swim meet...

We finally found out what a real swim meet was like.  Wow.  It's kind of chaotic and it's extremely FAST paced.  Buddy did his best, and we were so proud of him.  He was also a very good sport about everything.

Like getting his 'heat sheet' drawn on his arm.  Permanent marker people!  It looked something like this (because the following picture isn't very clear).

E     H     L
4      1      3
12    2      5
20    1      3

The E stands for Event #, the H stands for Heat #, and the L stands for Lane #.  He did the freestyle, breast stroke and back stroke.

 This is Miss Joanna, one of Buddy's swim coaches.  She is pretty awesome with the kids.

 He is trying so hard to get diving figured out.  This dive kind of turned into a belly flop.

 Backstroking.

 See the board?  Did you see that Buddy placed 1st in his heat for backstroke?  Oh yeah.

There were two heats for each event.  Buddy came in 5th in freestyle (out of 8), was disqualified in breast stroke (which is normal for the younger kids) and 6th in backstroke (out of 8).

As parents of the swimmers, we have to volunteer at the meets.  I learned how to time the swimmers

swimming with pumpkins...

It's that time of year again.  You know, where kids dress up and go to carnivals, bobbing for apples and swimming with pumpkins.  Okay, so the swimming with pumpkins isn't really normal.  But it was certainly fun to watch.  Buddy had a fun time during his unusual swim team practice.

(Buddy didn't know the rules for bobbing for apples [or so he said] and he ended up using his hand to stick his apple in his mouth.  I wasn't happy about that, but his coaches didn't say anything because it was just a game.)

swimming with buddy...

Buddy had a hard two weeks. He had one of the most difficult swimming instructors I've seen. That's okay. He moved up from a level 5 to a level 6. His backstroke is so wonderful to see. He struggles with the dolphin kick and the breast stroke, but he is doing better than last year - for sure.

swimming with sunshine...

Sunshine isn't one who likes daring adventures. She is content with practicing things over and over or just having fun. Her method worked though. She jumped from a Pre-K at the beginning of her four weeks of swimming to being at level 5 at the end. Really? She has gotten into swimming a lot.

swimming with turtle...

Here is the most adorable Turtle swimming. He has had one on one instruction because there were so few kids during this particular session. Turtle loved it, as well as James (the instructor).

First trip down the slide!

James thought Turtle was ready to go off of the rope swing, but he got super scared because he had to be lifted to grab the rope. That was a little too much for him. However, Turtle did wonderful the last month of swimming lessons and is ready for next year.

swimming lessons...

Turtle and Sunshine have been swimming this week and last. Turtle was very apprehensive at first and wanted nothing to do with the pool. Dad finally coaxed him in and after the first day of lessons Turtle decided he loves the pool. See his cute little "I really don't want to do this" face?Sunshine was made to swim. She loves the water and has for awhile.Day 3 or 4...Turtle is warming up and he loves his teacher, Mary. She has had all three kids now and we think she is pretty awesome.See? She loves the water. She will play and play and play whenever she has a moment without her instructors attention.Day, um...who knows. Turtle is showing nice form.
More swimming pictures later. I just wanted to update.