Midwest Regionals

Finally, the last meet of the year.

The one we've been waiting for.

The grand finale, big show, last call.

Well, really, just one more meet!

Grammy and I packed up the girls and headed

to Minneapolis for the 2012 Midwest Regional Championships.

What a huge honor that both girls qualified.

I'll admit, sometimes I forget that.  I forget that it's hard to do.

Not everyone makes the cut, not everyone is brave enough to do it.

Just making it is an accomplishment on its own.

So, I shouldn't care how they do, right?!?

Well, I'm still working on that!

But, besides my expectations, everyone did great

and more importantly had a great time!

Claire qualified in 6 individual events this year!!

Ella qualified in 1, very impressive for a 7 year old!

They both swam in a relay as well.

Both did great!

Claire got personal best times in 2 events

and some okay and what happened times in a couple others.

All rounded out, not a bad showing!

Ella swam without getting disqualified in the

University of Minnesota pool at a high-competition meet.

That is success in itself!!

I had a painful growing experience that my expectations

are my problem and should be no one else's problem.

I was reminded of why we swim; because it's fun, we

love it, and it's a great sport to be a part of.

In the end, we all walked away from the weekend 

with good memories and goals for next year.

The best part: Walnut Creek Dolphins walked away

the the title of 2012 Midwest Champions!!

and the Spirit Award for good sportsmanship.

I could not be prouder of this team and my girls!!!

WC Dolphins!

My sweet Claire bear

Relay team getting a pep talk from Coach Kris

Claire getting ready for her leg of the relay. She got her best
time on her split!

She shot off the block with perfect timing!

Coach Kris is the best!

Claire qualified in the 100 IM, 200 IM, 50 Breast, 100 Breast
50 Back and 100 Back.  Busy girl!

Ella and Avery enjoying some chocolate muffins for breakfast.
Avery was amazing.  She cheered the team on for 2 straight days
and was so good.  That girl is awesome!

Ella's turn came on Day 2.  Coach Kim giving her a pep talk
before she takes off for her leg of the relay.

Get ready Ella ~

Free is not Ella's favorite stroke, but she did great!

We were very lucky to have a very special treat waiting

for us in Minnesota.  Aunt Rachel and Uncle Dean welcomed

our new baby cousin, Arwyn, just days before the meet.

We were so lucky to get to spend some time with them Saturday

evening.  She is beautiful and mom, dad, and Sophie seemed

very happy, if not tired! : )

Me and my new adorable niece!

Between all the swimming and baby snuggling, we did manage

to have some fun at the waterpark!

Ella went down the waterslide! That's a big deal!

Claire loves the waterslide!!

Aves loved the water sprayer!

We spent a lot of time here ~

She would make it spray, then jump down and hide.
Silly Avery!

Thanks to Grammy for coming with us.

Thanks to all the great friends that were there

to cheer all of our swimmers on.

Thanks to my amazing sister-in-law and brother

who graciously had the baby in time for us to meet her!

I love swimming.  I love the meets, the team,

everything about it.  But, I will admit, I'm ready for a break!

We're off to the softball fields. See the pool again in June!

Spring time fun!

Spring came early in Iowa this year, so the Rousehouse

is taking advantage of all of the nice weather!

We are really enjoying having 3 "big kids" playing

and having fun!  Avery is getting so big, Ella is getting 

so brave, and Claire is getting so independent (and sassy!)

Outdoors has been our theme this spring, and

bike riding has been on top of the to-do list.

Aves loves riding bikes, probably more than

either of the bigger girls ever did.  She is riding up and

down our street all the time, just enjoying the breeze

and peace and quiet!

Ella is even taking a turn at bike riding.  That has never

been one of her favorite things, so it's very nice

to see her try and succeed!

While I fear what the temps will be like this summer,

I am very grateful for the beautiful weather we had

this March.  I have made an effort to get out there

and enjoy it with my kids.  I am grateful for 

the laughter, the memories, and the fun.

I could do without the skinned knees, but

that comes with the territory!

We visited the Easter bunny at the mall this year, 

something we never do!  As you can see,

Ella chose not to hang out.  Big costumed

characters have never been a favorite at our house!

We do love a good train ride though!

I don't think I'll be able to squeeze my babies in there much longer!

Avery is a fearless adventurer! She loves to go to the

park, any park, and climb, slide and run!

Here she is attempting the monkey bars, 

after attempting them by herself and falling 8ft.

down and getting right back up.  I stayed close

for this one, but she didn't need me.

She made it all the way across by. her. self!

More climbing...

So proud of herself!

Aves is getting so big, she even likes to get her 

hair cut now!  She let Miss Jenn shampoo her like a 

big girl.  I love these moments, but I hate them too.

Why can't I just freeze time and enjoy it a little longer??

Avery on her big girl bike!

What a beautiful girl!

This is Avery, with her "animal holder".

As you may know, Avery loves her stuffed animals.

I don't mean like normal kids, I mean she loves them!

She always has an animal with her and is as 

devoted to them as anyone I know.

On this day, she tied her sweater up to serve

as an animal snugglie.  

Our first picnic of the year came in late March.

How crazy is that!?  We grilled hot dogs and 

enjoyed the unseasonably beautiful weather!

I may be busy.  I may be exhausted.

I may have cleaning to do, or a show to watch.

I may have shopping to do or laundry to sort.

But I will only have these 3 angels, at this age 

and in this moment, for a short time.

I will enjoy it!

Happy Spring!

1/2 birthday celebration!!

Please stop growing up!!!

That is what I'm always saying to Avery, to which she

laughs and laughs and says she'll keep growing forever!!

As the big girls will tell you, we never really do 1/2

birthdays, except for the baby!! : )

I can't help it.  I have to celebrate.

Part of it is that she is my baby.

The other part is that she is such a handful

I have to congratulate myself for every 6 months

I make it!

Here is Aves at her bday lunch at Red Rossa, yum!

Avery decorated her own bday cake.

We were very brave to eat it!

My big 4 1/2 year old!

Aves decorating her cake ~

I love each of my children for the wonderful,

unique person they are.  They each complete me in a

different way and they each make my life very 

full of love, laughter and happiness!

Y Regionals in Rochester, MN

Championship meet #2 is under our towels.

The girls and I traveled up to Rochester, MN for the YMCA

Regional Swim Meet and we had a great time!

Claire swam in 5 individual events and 3 relays.

Ella swam in 1 individual event and 2 relays.

Some of the highlights included:

1. Claire swam her best time in the 50 back, 100 free and

very close in the 100 back

2. Ella swam a 50 free for the first time and nailed the flip turn

3. Avery was fabulous and an absolute joy to be around all weekend

Some of our favorite non-swimming highlights included:

1. Swimming at the hotel, of course

2. Hiking at a nature park in the beautiful weather

3. Roaming downtown Rochester with 2 other swim families

laughing and playing way too late

4. Watching the Lorax with friends

5. Lunch and shopping with friends on our way out of town

6. Creating awesome mommy/daughter memories!

Despite the time change in the middle of the weekend,

a 4 year old who seriously CAN NOT sleep at hotels,

and a 7:45 pool time each morning, we all had a great time!

I am so grateful for these experiences and wouldn't trade them 

for anything.  What a blessing!

Ella and her friend, Isabella, getting ready for day 1

Claire, ready to go on day 1

Aves spent much of her time on her itouch, as usual.
I am so grateful for her laid back attitude at meets.
Not sure where that attitude is any other time though!?

Aves, oblivious to the action all around her!

The girls and their friends playing "sugar packet cards" at the hotel

Great shot of Aves in downtown Rochester.  She had so
much fun hanging with the swimmers!

Hiking after the first day of swimming

We started to get so high the path was getting icy.
Aves and I decided to call it a day at that point!

My little fishies at the hotel pool.  

Post season begins...

Swimming championship season has begun.

For the big girls, it means a few more meets.

For Avery, it means a few more chances to 

play with her "big kid friends".

For me, it means hours of driving, packing, unpacking,

sitting, watching, encouraging, cringing, and

loving every minute we spend making memories!

This year Claire, who is at the top of her age group,

qualified in 2 events for State and 6 events for two

different Regional meets.

Ella, who is at the bottom of her age group, 

qualified for 2 events at State and 1 at both Regionals.

First up: YMCA State Championship in Marshalltown.

Thanks to all the "good parents" who brought their camera

to state and shared some pics with me!

Claire swimming the 100 Back.  She knocked 1 1/2 seconds off her time.

Claire ready to leap during her Medley Relay

Ella during starts practice

Claire during starts practice

Ella and her Free Relay team

Walnut Creek Dolphins!

Coach Kim and my girls!

2011-12 Dolphin State Qualifiers ~

One of the cool things about state is the Athlete Parade.

Each team parades through the pool area while we are

cheering them on!  I was waving and cheering so much I 

accidentally stopped recording.  

My girls are just about to get there...... oops!

At least you can get a sense of the excitement in the room!

Those of you that know me well, or probably even a little,

know that I'm pretty passionate about swimming. 

Especially when it comes to my girls.  I love the sport,

and I love the girls' team even more.

I think that the practice, the discipline, the heartache,

the success, the friendships, the coaches, everything

all together make for some pretty great moral character.

Thank you to everyone who helps me help my girls

be the best swimmers they can be.

A special thanks to the WC Dolphins "older swimmers"

who have taken my girls under their wings.

A special, special thanks to all those "older swimmers"

who let Aves hang out with them all day at the meets.

Those are memories that Avery, and I, will never forget!

Maybe I stand corrected.. .

Today we were out to lunch with my mom, and Avery

was, well, being Avery.  She was calling us "little missy"

and arguing about everything.

In between the eye rolling and exasperated sighs,

she would tell us to "just be quiet".

While trying not to laugh, because as we know I find this hilarious,

I told my mom, "You can tell Aves goes to school more than the

girls did.  She is definitely more defiant than she used to be".

To which my mom starts laughing.  "What?" I ask.

"Avery has always been like this.  You're just too busy enjoying

it to notice.  Everyone else has always noticed the defiant nature

in Avery."

Well, I'll show her. I went back through some old video of Aves.

Turns out, I stand corrected.  She really has been a pistol

all her life.  And I really have been enjoying the s*%t out of it!

Here are just a couple of the many great examples....

Here is Avery discussing Santa in Dec. 2010

Avery's 2 1/2 bday.  March 2010

One more reason I love him so much...

There are so many reasons I love my husband.

He's handsome.  He's kind.  He's good. 

He loves me, entertains me, forgives me.

He tolerates me, encourages me, adores me.

He is a great husband, friend and most important, father.

Dave does many things well.  But, the thing he does best

is love his family.

My girls have no idea, yet, just how lucky they are.

Their dad is 100% present in their lives.

Not only does he make their breakfasts and lunches

every single day, which is impressive enough!

He prays for them, encourages them, challenges them.

He knows what's going on in their lives and takes a

genuine interest in parenting them.

I know lots of great dads (I have 2 of them!),

we are very lucky to have many great examples in our lives,

but I think my girls have the Best Dad Ever!

Every year we get to celebrate this great relationship

at Hope's Daddy Daughter Dance.

This year was extra special for all of us!

Avery was finally old enough to join them.

So, Dave had his hands full and I enjoyed a

lovely french dinner with my friend, Wendy.

I'd say it was the perfect night for everyone!!

Daddy Daughter Dance 2012

Resting during mommy's photo shoot!

Oh my!  She is growing up so beautifully!

My sweet, beautiful Ella

Avery was so excited to buy a new dress and go out with the big girls!

It just doesn't get any better than this!

My loves.  I am beyond blessed with this crew!