Wipeout Coaches

These two have been working together as two of the coaches for local swim team.  They have been enjoying their time other.  Possible and Sugar are both excellent teachers.  Sugar can be very calming as she helps a child focus while Possible is incredably energizing as she inspires.  These two made a lot of friends throughout the season!

Possible and Sugar two great coaches.  Congratulations on another great swim season girls.

Coach Possible

I don't say it enough, in fact this young lady is so much like me that she is the one that I fight with when I am nervous.  This kid took a job to coach a team on the other side of town.  Until Sugar gets home I had to drive her.  I was so angry at first.  The gas, the time . . . wait the time.  I got to spend time with Possible.  At first I saw it all wrong. The truth is that even if we just sit in the car quietly; I was lucky to get that time with my adult daughter.  She is kind and wonderful and giving.  Possible will always push me to be a better mom because she is always pushing herself to a better Possible.  Today she was expanding her role in life.  She was going to share all her swimming tricks and determination with a new team of willing swimmers.  They are pretty lucky!

Coach Possible is ready to help swimmers get faster and stronger.  

GO COACH!  I am so proud of her!

Coach Steve

One of the first activities we did as a family after moving to Texas was to join the Northampton Neighborhood Swim team.  We met so many people doing this.  I love that swim team is a family event.  We all go together and then different ages compete at the same event. There was a big BUT for us, we had never learned the strokes before our big Texas move.  The first year we seam Pooker was already in high school.  Everyone else in her age group had been swimming for years.  This was true for Goobers, Bear and Sugar.  Possible was young enough that she didn't start with a disadvantage.  These older kids made a decision to give it there all.  The coach that they had to work with was incredible.  He took each kid where they were and just encouraged them to do better.  He affectionately called each member of the T family Dani appropriately Little Dani 1, Little Dani 2 etc.  Every year when would announce another baby on the way he would be thrilled for us to have another Little Dani.  The Cuda sticker on our van didn't have each name on it but said "little Dani gang".  I know that my kids enjoyed that first swim team experience because of the devotion and kindness of Coach Steve.  

To be honest we were not the only ones that loved Coach Steve.  He had triplets that are Goober's age.  Coach and his family were known and loved by the community.  

Bill Hinds, the creator of Cleats had swimmers on our team as well. He designed the team image, which I just thing was so cool.  

Mr. Hinds always has a few swim team comics each year. These are always our favorite ones.  One of his coaches was based on our own coach Steve.  

We were all happy for them but sad for the Cuda's when Coach Steve and his family moved north. We have kept in touch over the years through Christmas cards and Facebook.  His last visit into town he came by for a quick visit.  My swimmers old and new were honored and excited. 

As often happen, Pooker said is best on Facebook:

"Soooo this guy came to town! One of my favorite coaches growing up. He helped our family feel welcomed and apart of the team/neighborhood. It is not easy joining a swim team at 13 with no experience, but he helped a lot! Still never mastered breaststroke, in-spite of all your bench practice sessions, but I did learn a lot about trying new things and community. Coach Steve, thanks for being a great part of our summers! So nice to see you!"

All Star and Ponderosa Day Weekend

The swim season has come to an end.  We are down to the last weekend of swim.  Our kid made good enough times to swim in the All Star and in the Ponderosa Invitational events.  This is always a crazy and busy weekend.  We have kids swimming at two different pools about 15 minute drive from each other.  It takes lots of planning to get people where they need to be.  Thank you to the older kiddos.  It would not go as smoothly without Pooker and Goobers helping to cheer, drive, and entertain.  The highlighted paper work below shows are events that we are involved in.  Crazy busy but Fun weekend.

DAY 1

DAY 2
   

We are so proud of the kids and yet so relieved when swim seasons is over.  Maybe we will sleep for an entire week. . .

Way to go Texas T kiddos.  You always make mom and dad proud.  You give it your all and we could not be prouder of each of you!