Girl of many talents

Yes, our Leah is a girl of many talents. She was so excited to participate in the district solo and ensemble competition this year. She was the lead violinist for her strings ensemble and was happy to be performing with Alexis and Mackenzie and Ana Lu on Cello. These girls would get together the end of every school day to rehearse together. It paid off! They took top honors and we are so proud of how far she’s come with her violin.

School Board Meeting

Twice a year a few 3rd grade students are invited to come say the Pledge off Allegiance at the District School Board Meeting. Kiersten was so honored to be chosen for Mrs. Logue class song with her friend Gabe Smith. She revived a special pin and letter. She was so excited! She even got frozen yogurt from Krave afterwards...she’s a great kid!

Totally Rad!

Once again it’s time for our annual Father Daughter Dance. The theme this year was 80’s. I ordered the girls a few things to try. They picked out what they liked and then Kiersten actually said to me “Did you really dress like this? It looks so weird!” Gee thanks, kid!

Mitch isn’t one for dressing up but he didn’t protest when I grabbed him a shirt that said “Save Ferris” he even said he would right roll his jeans...but then he did and realized very quickly that he couldn’t follow through! I always help work at the event. The dads pulled out all the stops with their outfits/costumes and the girls looked totally rad! My kids had a blast...always do!

Knockerball

Knockerball Max came to the Y this Friday for a team building event and we had so much fun. Okay, so maybe I personally didn't enjoy it but all our swimmers sure did! The parents were all so great. Everyone chipped in and brought snacks and drinks, we certainly had more than enough. The kids all took turns and got along great. They were all good and wore out by the end of the night.

The next morning we kicked off our “bring a friend” campaign. Kiersten was so excited to have Ella Spaide join her and later this week Quincy Peterson will tag along.

That’s a wrap!

A great day at state swim! This is such an amazing group of kids. I couldn’t ask for better teammates for my girls. To sweeten the deal we got a hug from former coach DJ Glenn! 

Leah swam strong in her 100 IM and dropped another half second. Kiersten wins teammate of the meet! She said a swimmer she races often saw her and asked why she wasn’t swimming? She said it made her sad but she explained that she aged up and then just tried to make everyone else happy. I saw her giving pep talks at the block, high fives, and even hugs to her former relay friends before they swam their race. In her spare time she enjoyed a little R&R on the podium! 

After all was said and done we caught the new Nancy Drew movie and enjoyed some Thai at a place called Spice.  On to day 2...

Day 2 is done and we are wiped out but we’re home. So grateful for the coaches and teammates that helped get us to state. It was so much fun! Blessed by coaches Ed, Helene and Erin!

Miss Hattie and her sweet friend Lily were 2 of 5 six-year-old girls to swim at state in the 8 under age group. Watching them hold hands, giggling and smiling was the best! I think those two had more fun today than anyone else. I hope they always swim so kind, with big smiles and hearts.

Leah looked amazing in her 50 back and she dropped almost 2 seconds in her split of the Freestyle relay. We’re calling it a win! And cheers to the awesome hubby who supports these girls (and me) with all of his heart! He takes #girldad to a whole new level!

Relay team photo credits: Kiersten “Bug” Schultz 

Y State

State weekend is here! To he totally honest I didn’t forsee us being here. Back in October when Leah was adding time in most of her races we just figured that’s how the season was going to go. But she knew something wasn’t right. An Asthma diagnosis, trial and error with a few different inhalers, some hard work in the pool and here we are. She’s a completely different (and more confident) swimmer. Today she swims the 100 IM and the butterfly leg of the 200 Medley Relay. Tomorrow she swims the 200 IM, 50 backstroke, 50 Butterfly and the 200 Freestyle Relay. We told her this is it! You worked hard to get here, no more pushing for time, just have fun and leave it all in the pool! 

Miss Hattie has had a stellar first season. She didn’t qualify for state BUT since big sister aged up last week they needed a fill-in...Enter Hattie!shes swimming the 8U 100 freestyle relay. 

And then there is Kiersten. My #lilbugbug showed how strong she is this season. Up until January she thought she’d be swimming at state. She qualified as an 8 and under in several events. We thought the cut off date was 3/1 but in reality it was 3/15. She JUST turned 9! Next year will be her year. Yesterday the baby picture was in my FB memories. As a toddler she often would get into the full bathtub completely clothed. I asked her last night if she had to choose just one activity what would it be? Without missing a beat she said swim because sometimes she just needs to be in the water. 

Regardless of the outcome this weekend, I’m super proud of these girls and have loved watching them in the pool! 

Don’t stop the music

This music loving girl gets along so well with her music loving Papa! For years Leah wanted to play the violin and I was on the fence. We knew that Mt. Zion required two years of piano for percussion in the band, so we started piano three years ago to be on the “safe” side. She enjoys piano enough, and then came fourth grade. She was still determined to play the violin, so play she did! The last year and a half she’s grown with her instrument tremendously. She even has her first ensemble competition later this month.

A few months back she started asking to play the guitar too! I told her there was no way i could fit it in our piano, tumbling, swimming, dancing, tennis playing and softball playing schedule. So she went over my head!!! Yesterday she went to Charleston for a sleepover and Papa surprised her with her first acoustic. They sat together and she started learning a few beginners chords and she’s already in love. Papa gave her a few books. She’s ready to roll. Now if she could just play “Much too young to feel this damn old” on her fiddle they’d make quite the duet!

Bug turns 9!

They tell you it goes fast, but you really have no idea! Somehow I blinked and this kid is halfway to adulthood. The night before her birthday she said to me”mom, I don’t want to grow up.” I assured her that there would always be room for her in my arms. The truth is, I don’t really want her to grow up either. But at the same time watching her grow up is my greatest joy...that’s true for all three of my girls. She still has those same crystal blue eyes she’s had since birth, she still has to have things done on her terms, and her independence at this stage is admirable. I joke sometimes that she adults better than I do. She’s just a truly amazing girl!

On her birthday we started the day with gigantic cinnamon rolls...topped with candles of course. She took sugar cookies and tootsie pops to school to enjoy with her class. It was a bad day at school so Gigi took us to lunch at Olive Garden where they brought her a delicious lemon mousse and sang Happy Birthday to her and we finished out the day at Dairy Queen for our traditions ice cream cone!

On Saturday night we hosted Ella Spaide, Jane Osman, Emma Ulis and Cayde White to a sleepover. They made emoji bracelets and picture frames, they enjoyed pizza and Ice Cream cake. I think a good time was had by all. Happy Birthday to my sweet Bug!