RED VS BLACK (6 YRS OLD)

S had her last swim meet before the City of Austin swim meet. The last one was between the Dick Nichol's red (afternoon) and black (morning) teams. This is a big deal and they have a traditional cheer between the two teams, screaming out who can cheer the loudest and who will beat the other team. It's great fun and despite being tired, S got into the spirit.

S has shaved several seconds off her different heats, 10 seconds off the free-style, 20 seconds off the back stroke and 5 seconds off the breast-stroke in this meet to be under 50 seconds for her heats. She has really shown much improvement over the swim season. What's really helped is that she's gotten at least one third-place ribbon at every meet. Luckily for her, there are not many competitors in the 6 and 5 year old category.

Mama feels so lucky that S is part of the best city team in Austin and happy that S wants to do this again next summer.

P.S. Another tradition, before the city meet, the two Dick Nichol's teams get together and have a pasta dinner and everyone gets checked-in and have their numbers written on their arm.

TORNADOES AND HURRICANES (6 YRS OLD)

S started having a fear of tornadoes and hurricanes. She woken up from bad dreams of tornadoes this week. She wants to move out of Texas since it has both tornadoes and hurricanes. Mama has tried to convince her that Austin is not close to Tornado Alley nor near the water enough to have hurricanes. Mama's not sure where this fear came from. She was fascinated by them during the school year when her class studied weather.

READING (6 YRS OLD)

S is reading probably level 3 readers and simple chapter books now. She prefers picture books (over chapter books) still and still loves Mo Willems's Piggie and Elephant for their sense of humor.  Mama has been able to find some complex picture books, e.g. Bernstein Bears (the one that teach a moral lesson), Dr. Seuss, and Magic School bus. She has surprised mama by reading the Lorax by herself. In addition, she's begun to love more complex books, via audio books. Her favorite audio books are "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Nate the Great" series. Mama can't wait for Sarah love of reading to bloom.

SWIM MEET (6 YRS OLD)

S had her first swim meeting today. She did the 25 m freestyle and the 25 backstroke. She finished both her heats. She started with a big advantage in the freestyle but stopping to breathe slowed her down, but everyone in the crowd was cheering for her. In the backstroke heat, halfway across she forgot to kick. Dick Nichol fans, especially mama, were screaming, "kick" or "you can do it."

Daddy was very proud to see her swim her five practice laps and also do her heat. Mama is pleased at what a supportive environment the Dick Nichols Devil Rays are. Just finishing a heat is considered a "big deal," especially in her age group. Mama learned today that the Devil Rays is the biggest team in the city and has reputation of being the most organized, due to its loyal parents.

P.S. When asked what was the best part about her day, she was it was the swim meet.

PERFORMANCE ANXIETY (6 yrs old)

S has performance anxiety. It shows in her belt test at karate and also at her Little Gym end-of-class shows. During normal classes, she excels and typically is at the "above-average" end of the curve. But anytime she has to perform in front of a large audience, she forgets what she needs to do, fumbles, or falls short of her potential. Today at the Little Gym show, S seemed like she wanted to refuse to perform and was the last volunteer in every routine. Mama is disappointed but daddy thinks she will eventually grow out of it.

P.S. Today marked the end of S's "mini-flip" days. Starting in the fall, she will be entering the school age gymnastic class, called "Twisters."

SWIM TEAM (6 YRS OLD)

S had her first swim meet as one of the red Dick Nickol's Devil Rays and she made mama proud! She swam nine 25 meter laps, several free-style, one back stroke, and a couple of breast strokes.She made it all the way through practice without quitting, but visibly tired by the end of the practice. S got out of the pool very pleased with herself and watched the video of her swim over and over again. Mama and S celebrated with a popsicle.

S's actual practice time was at noon and only lasted half an hour; the red team practice time was listed as 10 am to 12:30 pm. Luckily, the older kids (10+, 10&9) went first. Good thing! There was no way S (or any of the kids 8 and under) could swim for two-and-half hours. Her age group (8 and under) was divided into two groups, first timers and repeaters. All of the first timers, approximately ten kids, were about the same levels.

Swim meets start immediately; the first one is this Saturday!