Fishers, IN Mudsock Classic | January 11-13, 2013

Max's first big travel meet!  He was so excited to stay in a hotel with the team.  Only 5 of the 8U boys attended this competitive meet and Max did a fantastic job!  He swam his heart out and earned 7 ribbons (swimming personal bests in nearly every event) and was the third highest point-earner on our whole team!  It's so fun watching him as he excels...

Four meets left over the next month and a half before short course season ends.  Then a short three week break before long course starts in April.  Swim, swim, swim!

 Max out in front on the 50 free

 The 8U boys watch the 10U kids warm up

 Breast stroke.  His least fave.  He has improved this stroke 1324x over!  Lookin' GOOD!

 Leading the heat in breast.

 50 backstroke. One of his favorites due to the unique flip turn he gets to do.

 Four of our Sharks in the fastest heat for the 100 Free.  Personal bests for all! (Max is the one in focus... with the long name on his cap near the top of the photo)

 And they're off!

 Coach Lee and Max discussing a few things during warm ups.

Coach John and Coach Lee with the 8U team.

Sporty Weekend

Basketball season officially began for Max this past weekend.  We were up early on Saturday for his 8:00 game at Springboro Intermediate.  The scoreboard wasn't operating properly but we won 62-14, or something like that.  The highlight of the game for Max was when the other team's coach approached Chris and asked "Who is that tall kid on your team?  He is a great shooter!"  It's kind of amazing to see how far the kids come in a year's time.  Rebounding and passing has improved big time making it even more fun to watch.

 Max and his buddy, Nathan

 He shoots and scores!

 The team... Max looks like a giant!

 Rebound!

 Dribbling down the court.

Playing D and blocking the shot.

On Sunday Max had a swim meet at Cincinnati Country Day school.  This was his best meet by far!  He knocked seconds off every single one of his strokes and earned a mass of ribbons.  His favorite event of the day was the 100 IM.  He won his heat and got 4th overall, and this was a meet chock full of super fast kids.  We are all looking forward to his meet next weekend in Indiana... a sleep over meet!  It's going to be highly competitive and really fun to watch.  Go Max!

 Backstroke

 Waiting in the clerk of course

 Backstroke

 Breast stroke

100 IM

An Almost White Christmas... and More

Christmas is especially fun with an 8 year old.

On Christmas Eve,  Max set out a sampling of cookies for Santa and left him a short but sweet note.

Christmas morning he was up before the sun, too excited to even try to sleep past 6am.  The three of us made our way to the great room to see what goodies Santa delivered; we also read the very nice notes both Sweety the Elf and Santa left for Max.

Max is very patient when it comes to Christmas.  He was willing to let both Chris and me have turns opening as well but we declined, let him go to town ripping open present after present.  His biggest wish this year?  A slide whistle.  A $3 plastic slide whistle that his music teacher uses in class.  It's all he asked Santa for!  Thank goodness Santa came through.

After the gifts were opened we hosted our third annual "Christmas Brunch" with my parents and grandma.  Then later that night a family Christmas dinner at my parents' house.  

The day after Christmas we had a blizzard.  Yes, literally.   Now before you think we got dumped on with 15" of snow you must know that really it was 6 inches but with major winds so that equals a blizzard according to The Weather Channel.


It was perfect for the school break.  Max actually got to use his sled for the first time in two winters!  He took his friend, Esmé to Sycamore Creek's golf course for her first adventures on the "big hill" in the US.  They were daredevils.

As of today the snow is still on the ground.  Max loves it.  Me, not as much.  But hey, it's winter and it's Ohio so what can I expect?

On New Years Eve Max had the idea to have a "party" complete with sparkling apple juice, hats and noisemakers.  He invited Kenleigh to join him for the fun; we went to Skateworld for their annual balloon drop skate, had pizza for dinner, made ice cream sundaes, played tons of board games, toasted in the new year and then finally at midnight watched the ball drop in Times Square.  Those two never tired, not once.  Chris and I on the other hand....  sleeeeeepy!

It was such a great holiday break!  We (well, Chris and I) slept in, created puzzles, played with new toys, had friends over, ate great food, watched Christmas movies and just enjoyed our time.  If only it could have lasted a few days more.  January 2 was "back to school!"  First time EVER Max uttered "I don't want to go to school!"  He got over it quickly though.  Phew!  Cheers to 2013!