Dancing in the bathroom

Kallie,

When you were younger and I would take you into a restroom somewhere and we had our secret. Our secret was dancing in the bathroom. After you were done we would  sing, "dancing in the bathroom" several times and jump around the stall.

For the last couple of years you've been old enough to go to the restroom by yourself, but tonight we snuck off to a restroom to dance in the bathroom again.

This is boring

Maryn,

Today we are near Lake Geneva at the George Williams College Conferece Center http://kalliemaryn.blogspot.com/2015/07/jason-and-nicole.html?m=1

for Uncle Don and Anna's 50th wedding anniversary. 

This evening we had an informal time with family, many who we have not seen in years and several who we've never met.

Each family would take their turn giving an update on there lives and some would sing songs or play instruments. 

One family sang several hymns which was really good. Some of the songs were  very loud with several verses.

At one point I see you Maryn walking up to my sister with a curious look on your face. Right between verses in a brief moment of silence you let out a perfectly timed "this is boring!" Everyone looked and you were embarrassed but I was a proud dad because I was feeling the same way.

I took you to the restroom later and we laughed, gave high fives, and danced around. Love you girl.

Round Rock Express

Round Rock Express game with Jason and Nicole.

Here's the game from the year before.

http://kalliemaryn.blogspot.com/2015/07/jason-and-nicole.html?m=1

Lieutenant Exam Final List

Today firefighters protested one bad question on the exam. The civil service commission decided to accept two answers on one question which moved me up from 19 to 16. This puts me in a really good spot to promote.

Sunday Funday

Today we had our first summer Sunday Funday. We plan to have an active summer but in addition Sundays will be filled with outdoor adventures.

Today we went hiking at the Greenbelt and met up with Jack, Corina, and Isla Miller for swimming and eating afterwards. On the way home we randomly caught a ballet at the hillside theatre.

Yet another 48

So I have now been at work for 4 shifts in the last 5 days. I'm not saying that it's hard work I'm just saying that I miss you girls and I miss being home. Working these extra shifts will help pay for our trip to Chicago and soon I will be off for two weeks straight. 

I missed a swim meet today where Kallie raced in 5 events! Maryn raced 2 but was mad she couldn't race every event possible. 

I can't wait to be home tomorrow.

Another 48

Winding down another 48 at the fire station. Tomorrow is the last day of school and summer begins!

In the morning I'll miss Maryn's school party but I'll make it to Kallie's after I get off.

I'm looking forward to having you girls home for summer. We'll stay busy with bike rides, swimming, gymnastics and live music nights. We'll also go on a couple trips that I look forward to writing about.

The first trip will be to Wisconsin for a family reunion and Chicago for some family time. Kallie, several years ago we went to your Great Grandma's funeral in Chicago. GiGi went with us but Maryn got sick right before we left so Mom stayed home with her. There is one restaurant I want to go back to where they gave you a ton of milk duds and donut holes. You still talk about that restaurant a lot.

The last big trip will be back to Padre for a week to hang on the beach with friends.

It's going to be busy and it's going to be fun.

Swim Team Time Trials

hiThis weekend we had Time Trials for swim team. Here was the line-up for the day and I was terrified.

Maryn
25 meter freestyle
25 meter backstroke

Kallie
25 meter backstroke
25 meter breaststroke
50 meter freestyle

Time trials have created a lot of stress and nightmares for you girls, and I was very worried about the 50 meter freestyle for Kallie and the 25 meter backstroke for Maryn. Last year Kallie, you stopped in the middle of the 50 and walked away crying. Maryn, last year you couldn't swim the full length.
I was very close to cancelling the backstroke for Maryn and changing the 50 to a 25 for Kallie, but at the last minute I decided to let ot go and see what happens.

I will never protect you girls from failure. failure is good and teaches more than success. However, I will protect you from all out disasters that scar you for life. I thought I was setting you up for one of those on Saturday.

Maryn was up first and I could barely watch. Coach Marissa had to carry you to the blocks and you calmly walked to the edge. Waiting for them to start the race seemed like an eternity. Finally the started the race and you leaped into the water and slowly worked your way across the pool! I could barely keep it together and I had tears rolling down my face as you finished. 

Kallie, I think I was more worried about your 50 meter than anything else. I still don't know why they didn't have you in the 25. You looked terrified as you walked over and I thought I just caused a huge parenting fail for what I created, but when you started, you swam hard and right along side the other girls.  I suddenly felt silly for even being worried because you owned it. One or two girls were in front of you but you also had two behind you!

I can't even explain how proud I am of you girls and how you fought you fears and pushed through. I am so happy I didn't give in and gave you an opportunity to succeed. My goal is not that you are Olympic swimmers, or even high school swimmers. I just want you to be comfortable in the water so you have confidence when we go to the beach or you swim with friends. I want you to have the skills when you grow up and head out on your own to the lake or river.

Great job girls you can do great things and have unlimited potential.

Swim Team

You girls are doing amazing in swim team. Kallie you go everyday kicking and screaming but you are improving do much. And Maryn you swam the entire pool today and you made the team. You were so determined to do it!

Maryn, this is from your draft book at school describing the video above.

"I went to the pool to practice swimming.  I almost drowned. I was so so so so so so scared I was going to drown."

Lieutenant Exam

My Girls,

This morning I had my promotional exam that I have been studying for. Over the last few weeks I have been studying most every day and it has been hard on both of you. I have missed every swim team practice, school pickups, a lot of dinners and we have have not gone on a bike ride in a month. The usually routine was to drop you off at school and head to the library until dinner, or sometimes after yall were in bed.

So here's how it works. The fire department releases a big stack of books three months before the test. That's when everyone digs in and starts to study.  I first thought that I wasn't going to study but I changed my mind a month before the test and started studying. My thought was I could just give it a long shot try and see if I could make the list and avoid the three months of studying next year.

I questioned myself everyday on this if I was doing the right thing because if I did poorly it would be a complete waste of time and I missed a months of y'all for nothing. If I do well though, I won't havev to study for the next year, or for the next four years.

Well this morning was the test and I did okay and it looks like I might have a chance to promote! 

The next step involves people protesting questions, which could change the list, but right now I'm in a decent spot. So hopefully things go smoothly and I promote and b won't have to study for 4 years.  

ttyl8r