swim swam swum

WE ARE DONE! (at least for now) AMEN.

Another swim season is in the books for the Chunglunds, and this year both J1 and J2 swam. 8-ish hour swim meets, 100 degree temps, finding someone to get kids to/from practice ... if being a swimmer was a labor of love, being a swim mom is no different. Both my kids handled it like the champs they are.

J2, who could not swim and who last year wasn't all that interested in lessons, now has a superhero complex and thinks he can swim. In his defense, he can swim. Sort of. He can make it about a quarter- to halfway across the pool before starting to look like a drowning victim. Notably, he is smiling and laughing as he sinks to the bottom, so I'm just going to assume he's having fun.

This kid even managed a few swim meets with some LOTS OF help from the junior coaches, and he earned some ribbons that he's pretty proud of, especially after seeing the boatload that his sister took home. I think he liked it enough and is competitive enough with J1 that I can convince him to come back for another season.

the obligatory participation medal

This was J1's second season and she also did great. She learned how to dive from the blocks and finally earned her no-breath medal. I only got to see a few of her practices, but I will tell you that my face was probably beaming with pride as I saw how hard she worked. Coach Richard is a really talented coach. He talked about digging deep and when you think you can't, you just go a little more. I watched J1 listen to him and really take those words to heart as she would power through practice. The reality is that she's a middle of the pack swimmer, of which she's aware. But every meet this season she did a little bit better and not unexpectedly swam her fastest times last weekend at Champs.

Last night was the awards banquet. She told us that she didn't think she would get an award. While she was right, she wasn't going to be a high point winner, after hearing some of the parents talk, I had a feeling she was going to get one of the coveted towel awards for the number of PRs she had this season. I kept it to myself, but when they called her name the look on her face was priceless. She was so happy and you could just see how proud she was. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to snap a photo of that face (mom fail), but it is forever burned into my memory.

What an incredible season. This swammer is so proud of my little swimmers. Rio is DYNAMITE.

home

We've been having so much fun this summer that I haven't kept up with the blogging! Most recently we headed home (at least home for me) for our regularly scheduled Minnesota vacation. It's always a whirlwind to see ALL the people and still get a chance to relax and just do nothing. As the years have gone by, I think we've gotten better and better at fitting it all in.

We saw the regulars, my childhood besties and my dear friend Jenn and her family.

I swam across a lake with my friend, Beth.

We celebrated the 4th. My kids, despite being California bred, know nothing but the 4th of July in Tower, MN. We're sorta the token Asian family. It really wouldn't be the same without us.

J2 partied his pants off ... literally.

We had plenty of time to hang out with Dave, who is the best uncle and brother you could ever ask for. He's so good at playing with the kids so I don't have to do it. LOL.

We saw lots of cousins.

We swam, kayaked, and boated to our heart's content. I read three whole books that didn't have a single picture! THREE! Talk about guilty pleasure.

I took a super cute selfie with my parents' dog, Elvie.

I convinced my Dad to let me pop the 1998 bottle of Dom languishing in the wine fridge since forever.

J2 learned how to tap out. Thanks, Dave.

J1 learned how to play poker.

Best of all, there was quality time with Papa Roger and Grandma Amy.

It was certainly a whirlwind of fun. Thanks Minnesota! Until next time.