Merry Christmas

I love having  young kids on Christmas!  Here are a few of my favorite Christmas pictures...  Merry Christmas.

Watch out BIG sister!!!

Caitlin is always living under her big sisters' glory...  I have always thought of Madison as the very athletic ONE.  Watch out Madison, Caitlin is going to give you a run for her money now that she is 6!

Caitlin is struggling a little about losing because she is in the 8 and under swim division and so is Madison...  I keep telling her that she is only 6 though:)  I am constantly amazed that she is only 6 and dives in and swims like a fish...  You know, Missy Franklin started competing at 6!

 This is a video of Caitlin doing the 25 freestyle.  She has the best start off the blocks --- gorgeous dive! She is third from the top and comes in second.  I couldn't be more proud of this little 6 year old girl.  The little girl who came in first is her best friend and teammate Claire.  They are by far the fastest 6 year olds at the meets:)

REALLY... Gymnastics???

From the time that I can remember, I lived upside down.  I loved, breathed, lived gymnastics...  I dreamed of having a little gymnast.  How things change :)

I put all three kids in gymnastics as soon as we could.  We loved those mommy/tot classes.  I was that crazy mom popping my girls up into a handstand on the bars...  Madison was asked to join the pre team the summer before Kindergarten and I couldn't have been more proud.  She liked it, but didn't LOVE it.  We stuck with it until she complained about going more than wanted to go.  It was hard for me to let go of that dream, but I did.  Caitlin told me that she would rather dance after 3 years of gymnastics.  That about broke my heart, but I signed her up for dance anyways...

This year, Caitlin is LOVING gymnastics and NOT dancing.  She is upside down most the time in my living room.  She is constantly asking me to help her with back handsprings, kick overs, etc.  I have slowly let myself get a little excited.  I've been really watching her lately in class and she has some REAL talent --- and she LOVES it!!!  That has actually made me start second guessing myself.  Do I really want her to do this sport????  I know how tough it can be and am not sure that I have it in me to push her...  As I am writing this, I am in physical therapy 3 times a week:(

Her gymnastics coach has been putting a little pressure on me to have her join the pre team...  I'm super excited and super nervous at the same time.  I am leaving it up to Cait.  We will have to make a decision at the end of the school year.

Just look at how cute she is though...

Patience...

I am trying so hard to be patient and let this knee get better.  I'm going on almost 2 months of a super agitated knee...  It has been really hard for me to REST!!!!  I have actually been in pool and land therapy the last two weeks, but still can't wait to just get back out there.  I haven't stepped foot in my gym for a month.  I am craving a little cardio exercise.  Yesterday at therapy, I begged to aqua jog.  I did it for about 5 minutes and my knee started killing.  I toughed it out for a few more minutes because it felt so great to exercise.  Then I decided that I should stop.  I really want to snowboard as soon as we get snow.

I was really starting to get down about this.  Yesterday morning my sweet boy said the best thing that he could have said.  I just love how kids know when their parents need a little pick me up.  We were talking about 12-12-12.  Madison said that none of us would be alive when this happens again.  Blake said, "maybe if we are as healthy and active as MOM, we could be"!  That made me smile.  I should be thankful for what I can do and how I am making an impact on my kids.  Soon I can get back out and bike, run, snowboard and do classes at the gym.  I have a glimmer of light at the end of my tunnel...

Here is to dreaming:)

Breaking Records

The kids had their second swim meet.  Poor little Caitlin was up sick the night before and had to stay home with Brett.   She was a little bummed, but ended up having a great special day with Brett.

We have been talking with Blake about how his swim shirt has been slowing him down.  He has always worn a swim shirt ever since he was a baby.  He decided to give it a try and not wear the shirt for this meet.  He wasn't even nervous or anything about it.  I was so proud of him.  Blake got his fastest times for all four of his races.  He said that he isn't ever wearing the shirt again.  He even went without it at practice last night.

Madison was her regular nervous self.  However, she walked away with 4 blue ribbons.  How can she do that?  She even broke the teams record for the fastest 25 yd freestyle...  18 seconds :)  She didn't even look like she was trying her hardest.  She is so smooth!  She also wasn't allowed to dive in.  She is much faster when she gets a dive start...

 Blake is always the most wonderful team mate.

Madison was so proud of her 4 blue ribbons.  

 Caitlin ended up feeling fine and even went to lunch with Brett.  

Glass Works

Madison and I got to go to the coolest place.  I have never even heard about it before and it is right here in K-zoo.  Her girl scout troop signed up for a glass fusing class.  They made two fish each.  They are so adorable.  Madison had so much fun that I already signed her up for her birthday party there.    They also have tons of classes, camps and MOMMY nights as well.  I'm trying to get a bunch of ladies together to try it out.

Madison and I went Christmas shopping and out to lunch after.  Just the TWO of us.  She was darling!!!!!

AMAZING

We had our first swim meet of the season...  My three kids were AMAZING!!!!  I am always so impressed with their swimming.  I really want to swim like them some day.  They are very inspiring.  While tucking in Madison last night, we were talking about the swim meet.  I actually had tears in my eyes.  She said, "Why are you crying mom?"  BECAUSE I WAS SO PROUD OF YOU TODAY AND LOVE YOU SO MUCH...

Watch Madison's HUGE win...  Sorry about my loud screaming in the video.  You will see her coach walk across and cheer near the end...  Madison is an amazing athlete.

 So adorable how they hang out together during warm ups.

 Here come the Eliuk GIRLS!!!

 I love this picture...  Madison is looking back at Caitlin.  Madison is so supportive of her little sister

 Caitlin shed a few tears during warm ups...  She was SO scared to dive off the starting blocks.  She has never done it before - sadly our pool doesn't have those.  She ended up doing two beautiful dives off the blocks during the meet..  Not sure who was more nervous - her or ME????  Seeing those big crocodile tears just rips my heart out :(

 All three hanging out during warm ups...  This makes me smile :)

 Caitlin in the pink goggles talking with her BFF about her swim events on her hand.

 Blake's freestyle relay team came in FIRST!!!  Way to go boys.

 Classic Madison

 Back stroke QUEEN...  Caitlin is sitting in the chair with the pink goggles on...

 Madison got first place out of 30 girls...

 Caitlin won her heat of Backstroke as well...

 Blake got his personal best at back stroke...

 Way to go BLAKE!!

 Madison getting ready!!!  She is one serious 8 year old swimmer.

 Breast stroke