So Proud of Peyton!

I can't describe the feeling of watching your child do something they love. It hit me a bit harder with Peyton perhaps because it took her a little longer to figure out what that love was and maybe because swimming is primarily an individual sport, but it's pure joy.

Recently, I watched her compete in her first official swim meet (through a live stream since we can't attend in person unless we are volunteering). The real deal. Not a recreational team but one that she worked all year to make. I can't imagine her nerves that first real time up on the blocks but to say that I was so very proud of her was an understatement. I openly wept as I watched her by myself on my big screen TV as she swam her first 50 M freestyle event in the third heat which meant that she was swimming with most 11/12 year olds who had been on team for at least a year before her. She placed 5th in her heat being one of the youngest 11 year olds. Less than a year ago she didn't even know how to dive and now while her dives need some work especially on a competitive level - she could dive! 

She swam 3-4 days a week most of the past year and now 4-5 days a week as a full team member. She never complains about going to practice. She just loves being in the pool and she loves her new friends she met through the sport. None of whom go to her school and many who are 6th graders.

Anyway, Tom has become the official volunteer for her swim meets (we have to have 1 parent volunteer and he has learned how to time with about 3 different apparatuses) since she says I know a bit too much about swimming for her liking. You can watch back the live stream and see where she needs work such as diving out instead of straight down and counting those flags for the backstroke so she continues to swim  full speed before the touch on the wall instead of slowing down wondering when she'll hit the wall with her head. Yes, I know a bit from when my brothers swam when I was younger and I was dragged to all of those swim meets. The humidity in the pool area and the all day meets are not something I look forward to but I'm glad with COVID we can't be there all day and that we can watch through the sophisticated live streaming system that it looks just like the Olympics when you are viewing it on TV. Not to mention the amazing new pool right by our house that was recently built and she gets to swim in for training and meets. And, I would be remiss not to mention the beautiful brand new high school pool that is currently being built and that she will benefit from in just a few short years. Our tax dollars at work! 

Anyway, so happy for Peyton and the work she's done and the swimmer she's going to be! 

 

Once Austen and Hailey woke up, we all watched Peyton swim on the big screen!