Swim Team Fun & Games

This is the craziest week for our swim team.  The kids have practices every night, the annual fundraising, the swim a thon, and ending with lights out lock in party.  Ryder had his team picked out and they planned their strategy to win the team competition.  They swam until they were ready to drop.  There was just enough time to shower, eat, and pack up essentials for the overnighter.    He jumped out the car, waved goodbye, and slammed the door.

Saturday morning time for the final event Cotton Days Parade.  Last years was canceled it was time to for a make up parade.  The whole county turned out or so it seemed.

Lots of people

A couple of masks.

WCCC Float

Once again they managed to get me wet.

Day of Service

Groups of local youth were picking

up trash, weeding, and teasing each other.

Here comes the team.

They all look at little tired.

Maybe zombies?

Passed Out

I caught up with them a couple of blocks away.  Ryder jumped in and was sleep before I hit the first stop light.  He was once again starving but couldn't keep his eyes open long enough to open his mouth.  I did get him into bed and slept for 8 hours straight. 

He claims he had fun with all his friends and never slept.  His team did win the most laps.  His planning paid off.  Monday will come with school and practice.  Time to catch some zzzzzz's.

SRIS Concert Band Performance

We made it to the year end concert.  Mrs Wood is a Star Wars Fan to the max.  Last year she planned their concert on May 4th which was cancelled.  This year she was determined to have that concert on May 4th.  She was successful and all the planning paid off.  The concert was moved to the high school which has plenty of room for the audience and families could attend.

SRIS Concert Band

There he is with his

band buddies.

He did say a couple had stage fright

and couldn't play their parts.

Ryder had no such problem and kept on playing.

No paper programs

Scan the QBR Code instead.

They did really well. Even with a few sour notes.

No Star War songs in the set.

The kids did so good.

Mrs Wood is an amazing teacher & supporter of her students.

We are going to miss her next year.

When he moves to the middle school.

 The concert was over time for me to party for my birthday.  Turning 55 means I can slow down and relax for the night.  We also hit another milestone of finishing the Book of Mormon as a family.  We have started so many times but have never completed it together.  It makes this momma's heart expand when I see what we can accomplish together.

This old lady is tired and we may celebrate over the weekend or just move on.

Last Look at April

Looking back on April each of these pictures is a whole story but I only got one picture or someone shared just the one picture.  Let's catch up on these stories.

Is it a girdle, waist trainer, weight training belt,

or a corset?

It's all of these names depending on what era you grew up in.

This one is camo print in an extra large for Dave.

He broke a couple of ribs while working on the sprinkler system.

One wrong move and one pop!!

Equals 4-6 weeks of pain and agony.

Are these yours?

The picture guessing game.

Yes or No?

There are a couple of extra pair in the laundry room.

Nobody claims them do DI here we come.

WHAT!!!

Phone call at work that the dogs have been busy in the backyard.

Yep! That is Ginger's tail.

Dexter & Piper have tried to dig her up.

GROSS!!!

We have got to come up with a better solution.

They head that direction every time we let the out.

April has been a funny month full of weird and strange adventures that I am sure we could have managed without.  What would life be without a little bit of craziness.  The good news is our COVID numbers are going down and the mask mandates have ended.  We are excited for a new month.  School is ending in4 short weeks and summer will be in full swing.

Next Level

The Pacific NorthWest Sectionals are in town and our swim team was asked to help out as much as possible.  I missed a deadline somewhere and didn't get signed up to officiate.  However, I filled the online form, selected that I was available for any of the sessions that they needed.  A few minutes later an emailed popped up asking for help on Wednesday for the first session.  That I can do!  Then a second email popped up  with a list of approved officials and what sessions they would be working.  I found my name at the bottom of the list and check marks for all 9 sessions.  Deep breaths!!! It is going to be a long 5 days.

Wednesday afternoon arrived and let's get ready to learn.

It's official

The Meet Credentials

Officials Meeting

and

then a yummy salad for dinner.

Kids getting ready

to compete.

Officials Meeting Room

Ryder helping out 

as a timer.

The speed

of the swimmers is amazing.

It was a busy meet learning how the next level of swim meets are ran.  I learned about the officials dance and how to do it without falling into the pool.  I also learned that there are a lot more officials needed on deck for each session.  I am grateful for everyone that kindly showed me what to do and how to do it.  Some things made sense others went completely over my head.  The couple of things that remained the same is getting drenched on the turn end by a swim off before the session started.  The pay is all the same we were all volunteers.  We each got a meet shirt.  The meet ref and chief judge have both officiated at the Olympic Trials.  Ryder was sure they made bank (his words).  Well they don't!!! They are all volunteers.  When we watch the Olympics this summer remember that the officials are all volunteering their time and all they get is a golf shirt.

It turned out to be fun, exhausting, and very wet.  I don't think I am ready for the next level yet!! It is now time to sleep so I can go back to real life tomorrow.

Piper Update

Piper has been in with us for a month.  It has been fun getting to know her and her personality.  She doesn't back much but she does whine like a pro.

She loves watching tv.

Especially if there are animals  on.

She isn't a fan of the Roomba.

She loves to cuddle up 

in the chairs.

She hates going to bed at night unless everyone is going to bed.  She definitely has FOMO.  She is the only dog I have met that licks her bowl clean after eating.  No matter how much food we give her she finishes it quickly and then licks it clean. 

She is definitely here to stay as a member of the family.  If only we can survive the spring shedding.

Creepy Dolls

Who doesn't love Raggedy Ann & Andy?  That would be Miss Rylee.  She claims they are possessed, creepy, and should not be in the house.  Dave found a Raggedy Ann doll at the thrift store a couple of years ago.  It sits on the top of a bookshelf downstairs.  Rylee hates it and claims it tries to jump down and attach her.  

Blake & Julie had a set from his mom that they were going to donate unless I wanted them.  The house has been quiet lately we need to have some fun.  After I scare her I will take and donate them.

Rylee's Bed

Let's put them in her bed to

greet her when she gets home.

A few hours later.

Jackpot!!!

However, she came up and yelled at Dave for scaring her.

I was laughing to hard that I was crying.

Thank goodness my bladder was empty or there would have been an accident.

Rylee's Car

Dave needed to get in on the action.

However, she didn't find them until later the next day.

Her car died shortly afterwards.

Maybe they are possessed.

My bed

Paybacks??

Not sure who they were meant for Dave or I.

The couch?

Did they walk?

Nope, Reganne is getting in on the action.

They were cold

Reganne covered them up.

Piper came up to them and started growling.

It has been a funny week trying to scare each other.  I am not sure I can donate these now.  I think they have become that family memory that keeps on giving.