Our First Swim Meet

I am not sure I can adequately describe a swim meet here on the blog. All I can say is Holy Cow!! Our first swim meet was probably one of the most stressful things I have been through in a really long time.

The prep work was insane because I had to go to the pool prepared to feed and entertain my entire family for four+ hours. I wish I would have taken a picture of the house when we left. There was flour all over the floor from Jaynie using the flour conatiner as a stool and having the lid collapse on her, there was sugar all over the floor from Penny getting into the sugar container that was left open by Jaynie when making cookies, and there was salsa all over my rug from Addie trying to help clear the dirty dishes and not quite getting the bowl in the sink. All of this happened 15 minutes before we left the house so needless to say we left a mess.

Once we arrived at the pool I was frantically trying to read this insane heat sheet and write all the girls races on their arms with permanent marker (yes I said permanent). All the while trying to explain to the youngest two why we were at the pool but not swimming. Just try to imagine me trying to keep a toddler away from the pool when her older sisters are swimming in a race. Then to top it all off about an hour into the meet it started to thunder. We waited at the pool for over an hour until they decided to reschedule it for the next night.

Lets just say I left the pool feeling pretty defeated and terrified that I had to do it all again tomorrow.

But, despite all the craziness the next night went much more smoothly (I learned a few things from the night before) and it was pretty awesome watching the girls swim their races. They all did so great. I was so proud of each one of them and I can't wait to see how their times improve as the season goes on. I like swimming because although they are part of a team they are really only racing against the clock and as long as they can improve their individual time then they are winning.

Lillie's Turns 8

Lillie had a great birthday this year. We were in Idaho again so she was able to spend her birthday with all of her cousins. Because we were having a big get together for her baptism we kept her birthday small.

Scritpures from Grandma and Grandpa Erickson

Bay Blades. The first real boyish toys my girls have been crazy about.

Lillie was so excited to turn 8. She was excited for her baptism, but she was also very excited to turn 8 so that she could get her ears peirced. On her birthday we went down to Idaho Falls and got her ears peirced. She was all smiles.




After doing a little shopping we headed to Olive Garden for a birthday dinner. A perfect day!







Kim will kill me for this picture, but it was her birthday as well so I had to post a picture of her with her birthday treat (a cup of whip cream covered in chocolate syrup with a candle sticking out of it).

To see Lillie's 7th Birthday post click here.

Jaynie and Lillie you are Triathletes

On July 16th 2011 Jaynie and Lillie participated in the Kids for Kids Triathelon here in Winston Salem. Jaynie has been asking to do a triathelon since she was 4 and she heard th Marsh boys talking about it at Thanksgiving dinner one year. I have always wanted to put them in one, but it just never worked out until now. This year the neighborhood that we swim at was hosting a triathelon so it was the perfect time for the girls to do it. We decided to do it about 2 weeks before the race so we didn't spend a lot of time "training" but the girls were able to do and they both did really well. The swim was 100 yards, followed by a 4 mile hilly bike ride, and finally a .6 mile run. Lillie actually took 5th in her age division and if we would have practiced our transition times she could have won the whole thing. Her first transition was a little slow, in fact it was the exact difference in time between her and the winner. She was neck and neck in every split with the girl who won. Quite impressive. Jaynie was just so excited to be there she could have cared less what her time was. She had a smile on her face through the whole thing. I was so proud of both of them.

Lillie is famous. She made the newspaper.

Lillie in the swim


First transition.


Taking off on the bike

Starting the run.

Finishing the run.

Jaynie Swiming. She actually shared a lane with her best friend Jane.

First transition. It was hard to be standing right there and not be able to help them. Jaynie did great with her transitions.

The bike ride was tough, but Jaynie had a smile on her face the whole time.

Jaynie taking off on her run.

Lillie, Jane and Jaynie you are triathletes.

Getting massages after the race. I think this was probably the girls favorite part.

Lillie's Art Show

Like many parents I often have moments in life when I feel like a bad parent, but never have I had this feeling like I did when I dropped the ball with Lillie's Art Show. Lillie's art teacher choose one of her art projects to be entered into a local art show at the library. We were so excited for her, but the opening was when I was in Idaho and it was a little much for Whit to try and do with all the girls. Luckily, it was set up for a couple of weeks so we didn't think it would be too hard to get over there. In my defence we tried twice. Once the library was closed and then we went on the last day and they had already taken everything down. I still don't even know which art project was displayed. The teacher never sent it home. I felt really bad, but Lillie was such a sweet heart about it. It really didn't seem to bother her, which made me feel even worse because I should have made it a bigger deal. Even though we didn't see her art work we were so proud of her. She is such a great little artist. She really pays attention to detail and puts little things into her art that most kids wouldn't even dream of. Lillie I am sorry we didn't see your art, but I know this won't be our only chance. I love you!!!!

Lillie's Artistic Photography

Lillie got a hold of the camera one day and I thought the pictures were just too cute not to post. They are actually pretty good.

Jaynie, Whit and I were doing yoga and for obvious reasons these were the only ones I chose to post of that portion of her photo shoot.

I really think she may have a talent. I love the ones she took of her animals. Seriously so cute.

Lillie's Special Recognition

Lillie's kindergarten year started out a little rocky. She came home with yellow sticks more often than green sticks and then lied to me about it. I thought we were really in for it with Lillie and school, but after some serious heart to hearts that first month she has not had a single stick turn since. Come to find out she is one of the best behaved in the class and in turn her teacher awarded her with a certificate of Special Recognition for being respectful. I am so proud of her, she has really become a great student.