State meet

We had a great time at the state meet.  The competition was stiff, so Eric did not make finals.  His relay team had a new member who struggled some, so he was disappointed in his relay.  But, we were so proud of him for making it to the prelims.

Highlighting his events on the heat sheet.

One super excited and nervous boy waiting to go warm up.  There were so many children there!  This was only 11 and up, and they had two different pools going for 100 minutes for warming up. Each group only warmed up for 20 minutes.  It was crazy!!!  

We got him a new book for the meet.  He was thrilled to read it right after warm up.  

I love this series of pictures.  Here you can see his intensity.  He is focused and ready.  

Can't wait to get up on the block.  But, he must wait until the whistle is blown.  

One last look up at us before he goes.  

He's ready.  

They had them stand back up.  They do dive overs, which means the previous heat stays in the water until the next heat dives over them.  I think one of the girls from the previous heat had started to climb out, so they had to stand up and wait.  This gives you a good view of the size of some of his competitors.  This was the 11-12 year old category.  

And they are off.  

The outdoor water park was open for the state meet competitors and their families.  Once Eric finished his two events he got to play in it.  That was a fun reward for the end of the day.  

Another service project

On Sunday, the families of the 5th and 6th graders stuffed bags of school supplies for inner city children in Atlanta.  Between our church and homeschool groups, Eric has already done far more service projects than he needs for LTC next year.  E is always a great helper.  There was a younger sister of a child in his group that did not understand how to look at the sheet and figure out what was needed in her bag.  So, Eric became her partner and helped her with stuffing her bags.  He is so patient and caring when someone needs help.  Love that fella!

After they worked the kids played on a slip and slide.  That is Eric going onto the slide.  

I love that he has the correct diving form going here.  Although it isn't quite a deep pool fella.  I think it may have stung a little when he smacked into the slide.  But, his form was awesome!

Wheel of Fortune

Yesterday we played Wheel of Fortune at a nursing home with some other homeschoolers and the residents.  Eric loves that game and had a great time!

I thought I would include a couple of pictures of Eric and Gizmo from this week.  Oh how Eric loves his dogs!!!!

Award presentation

Eric was so honored to receive the Trey Heye Sportsmanship Award last year.  The previous year winner presents the award the next year, so we were tickled that he was able to do that this year.  And we were beyond thrilled that it went to our friend, Malachi Keen.

Mason was the winner before Eric.  Here he is practicing with Eric before the ceremony.  

Mary Jo with her boys, the previous winners, and the current winners. 

Malachi told me something that really touched my heart.  After he won the award, I told him how proud of him I was.  He told me that last year he had listened to what the coaches had said they admired about Eric.  Then he decided to do some of those things.  I had no words. 

State meet fun

Making the state meet is an honor.  They sure make you feel special for qualifying for the team.

They had two weeks of practices for qualifiers.  We missed a week due to being in AR, but still.

They had these shirts made and gave them to the kids.  Go Cyclones!

Took group pictures.

And had a party at a water park for us including pizza.  

We feel a wee bit pampered.  Love it!  I think he wants to qualify every year.

District meet

Today was the district meet for summer swim.  It included our county and 3 other big city teams.  Eric did great.  Got some best times.  So proud of him!

The calm before the craziness begins.  There is something amazing about a pool before a meet.  The anticipation, the calm, the quiet excitement.  It's so great!

We were the first ones in the bleachers today, so we got to really enjoy the peaceful moment. 

E swam three events.  The 200 Medley Relay, the 100 IM, and the 50 Back.  He was supposed to swim the 200 Free Relay as well, but someone scratched this week, so he was not able to swim it.  

He did not know any of the boys on his relay team.  But, they came in 2nd!!!!  If you finish in the top 3, you get to compete for this district at the state competition.  Woo hoo!  He swam the backstroke leg of the relay. 

He came in 3rd in the IM, swimming his fastest ever time of 1:29.82.  He took about 2.5 seconds off his previous best.  Another state event!

He came in 5th in Back.  It was not his best ever time, but it was the best time he has had all summer.  Very proud of this fella.  

Doing his favorite activity between events.  

Waiting for his awards to be ready.  We were also the last ones in the pool.   This was a long 7 hour day.  But so worth it!

So proud of his medals!

Nutin but fun

We were so busy in June that I hardly got a chance to blog.  I will try to do better this month.  No promises.  But I'll try.  

We went to a fun place today with some other homeschoolers.  They have had an event scheduled every single weekday of the summer, but we have been too busy to go.  Today we made it.  It was at a bounce house/arcade.  

Eric had a great time hanging with some friends today.  Laser tag was his favorite.  He came in 2nd in the first game, but he won the second game.  

Zoo

                                     We used the free zoo passes Eric won in the egg last weekend.

The award was 4 passes, so they gave us one that we can use on a future visit.    

We watched a tiger training demonstration.  

Eric got to feed the giraffe.  Loved this picture.  Look at his mouth!  Too cute!

We saw lots and lots of feeding times.  This bird was quite proud of his rat lunch.  He kept showing it off at the window.  

Took some selfies while we were waiting on the bird show.  

He is looking so big lately.  Sigh.

At these bird shows, they always have fly overs.  Here is the bird coming at us.  I do not love this part.  And on the way back, I got whacked in the head with a wing.  They typically pick me to whack as they fly by.  

We saw lovely sights of a snake eating a rat.  So nasty.  Yuck yuck yuck.  Made a couple of videos.  Unfortunately they are too long to put on here.  I know you are devastated.  

Louis Braille

Eric completed a biography study by making this video on Louis Braille.