At the beginning of the summer the kids joined the swim team. Madison was so excited and loved it but Kade and McKinnley did not want to so swim. Being Kade's first year on the swim team he was swimming against boys his same age but that had been on the team swimming for 4 years. McKinnley was pushed up into the older group of girls and was swimming against 14 year olds that were tall and fast. The first practice was long and hard, the kids said they didn't want to be on the team. Me being the easy push over that I am, I told the kids we can talk to Dad and tell him swim is just too much. Later that night we held a family meeting and tried to convince Heath swimming was not what the kids wanted to do. Heath would not hear it and told the kids, they would Not give up and they Will be on the swim team. It was the Best Decision he made all summer. We Loved our Saturday Swim meets!In the beginning the kids were just average swimmers... But as the season progressed they kept getting better times and even placed. They each brought home several 1st 2nd and 3rd... Heath decided he wanted to hire a swim coach to work with the kids for a few weeks before the State swim meet. So the kids had normal swim practice 3 times a week swimming for a hour and half. (I can't even imagine!)
Then we had practice with just us and the coach.
By the time Championship rolled around the kids were on there A- Game. It was amazing to see the kids compete against some of Florida's Best.
McKinnley took...
5th Place in the Freestyle Relay...
6th Place in the Medley Relay....
Madison took..2nd Place in the Freestyle
3rd Place Relay
Madison was put in a relay with the 12-14 year old girls and they took 3rd Place.
Kade Took...1st place for the Back Stroke...
2nd Place in Freestyle
Maizie is Determined she will be in the water racing next year!
2nd Place in Freestyle
Maizie is Determined she will be in the water racing next year! I Loved to watch Heath on the side lines with Millie in the back pack Cheering on the kids. 
Lesson Learned...
Lesson Learned...It's Amazing what a little Extra Practice and Hard Work can do!
I am so Glad Heath made us stick with swim team.
Never Never Give Up!
Our Summer was so Exciting!
I am Awfully Proud of each one of you, and for your AWESOME Swimming Skills!
But Most of all What GREAT Kids you Are!
8 comments:
Way to go Thompsons- you really know how to WORK it! Way to turn your first practice lemons into lemonade. Victory is SWEET! You guys are a great example to the rest of us! We love you!
I saw their swimming skills first hand this summer and was so impressed!!! All of a sudeden I realized that my kids were just doggy paddling when I thought they were okay swimmers. I am proud of you all for sticking it out. Hard work is always rewarded even when you don't think you can do it. This will be a summer you will never forget! Maizie I also know you could whip anyones behind in a race. I saw your skills at the vetern pool and WOW you are amazing. Way to go Thompsons! We love you!
why is it that some of your post make me bawl, i think its cuz im missing out on your kids and i love hearing abouth how you and heath teach and parent your kids. i love that you didnt give up and even went the extra mile with the private coach. i think i better start swimming some laps my self so when we have our annual laguna races, i can keep up. i lov eyou all
Congrats Thompson Kids! I couldn't agree more with Heath. I FORCE my kids at 3 to take swimming. I take them most of the time with tears in their eyes (and sometimes tears in my eyes!) I have learned your children will always AMAZE YOU!
PS. Randy and Deb say they miss you and love you. We reminisce about the good old days often!
So cute! I am also already a push over so I was excited to hear it is not just me. Aaron is our big bowl of wisdom in the Jammes house. Isn't is nice to have smart hubby's? The picture of Heath and Millie is to die for. I only have one question. Is Millie always so darn adorable? She is sooo cute!!!
Go Team Thompson! Wow Kade, Maddy, and McKinnley - who knew that you guys were such little fish! Congratulations! And so glad that you listened to your dad. He's a pretty smart guy!
When I was in middle school in S. Florida we had moved around so much that I changed schools 3 times my second year. At my last school the only sport that was left to join was swim team. I figured since I had been swimming my whole life, and had always had a pool, that swim team would be pretty easy. I was WRONG and I wanted to quit a couple of times when I felt like it was to hard. Thank goodness for a coach who encouraged and worked with me one on one to help me stick with it. I'm glad Heath wouldn't let the kids quit. He's a good coach and a great dad! Congratulations McKinnley, Madison, and Kade on your swimming success!!!
Oh I love this post too!!! I am so proud of you Thompsons! You are blessed with the most wonderful Dad who will never give up on you. Heath is the perfect example to all of us of going the extra mile. Does everyone realize Heath graduated from High School when he was only 17. He went into the military and learned Russian. Then off to a mission to learn Finish (what ever you call the language in Finland) all of that sounds so hard, but for Heath he just keeps on breezing through life accomplishing the impossible. Heath I love you and I love those amazing children you and Kelly are raising. Way to go kids on all the ribbons and awards. I sure wish I had been there to cheer you on. But I did see what great swimmers you are this summer. I am dreaming of the day we can all be at the beach together. Do you remember how hard tiny little Madison swam in California the year she was learning how to swim. She put her head down and swam like crazy until she reached the other side. I could tell then, watch out world because here comes Madison. I love all the never give up Thompsons!!!! I miss you tonight.
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