On July 11th, I had the privilege of attending Susan's retirement party. I have worked with Susan her entire career as a PTA at Kaiser. This was her second career and she made the switch in her late 40's. The beauty about going to her party was that almost all of the PT's and PTA's who have retired since I joined Kaiser attended her party as well. It was such a beautiful reunion, demonstrating how youth can follow those who keep their minds and bodies active, even after their working career is over.
I was able to see Molly, who retired 13 years ago, along with Anna, Kyong, Susan B, Jan, and Richard. No one looked like the aged a day since the last time I saw them. It was incredibly inspirational!
That same day we celebrated Keith's birthday, since his birthday was on Wednesday and the day was busy from morning to night with work, swim and his Japanese lesson. Keith decided he wanted to go old school and have the family go miniature golfing. The three kids had fun in the back seat on the way over. Phoenix decided to "do" Axel's hair. She is ignoring the camera acting like she was disinterested, but the kids were loud and laughing up a storm.
Here is Axel demonstrating his putting skills.
Daddy-o got 3 hole in ones!
Rubix being Rubix!
Phoenix being Phoenix!
Family photo!!!
After mini golf we went to hot pot! It was all you can eat seafood and beef hot pot. We all ate continuously for the 90 minute time limit.
It was delicious!
Happy birthday!
Last weekend we had Age Group Champs. We headed down to Morgan Hill on Thursday. Keith left earlier in the afternoon with Rubix to set up the tent and do a warm up there. Phoenix and I left around 7pm after her swim practice. Friday was a big day for her as she had the 200 free and the 800 free. She hadn't raced more than a 100 meter event all summer because of her recovering from mono. We were pleasantly surprised that she dropped time, swimming a 2:16.09 getting the Far Western time and making finals!
Phoenix 200 Free
She was all set to swim the 800 in Finals. It was incredible that she was ranked 5th and able to swim in finals with her time from a year ago! We have to time and lap count for the distance events and we are not allowed to wear our official gear. I threw on Phoenix's shirt and Keith was given the same shirt by one of the coaches after seeing him lap count earlier in the year with a Harker swim shirt on. Rubix took a picture of us "twinning" before Phoenix swam her 800. She put out an incredible effort, dropping 7 seconds and getting within 10 seconds off the sectional cut. Her two friends swam incredibly well, both getting the sectional cut. She came in 3rd, despite losing more than a month of training! Absolutely incredible! The effort taxed her so much, she was hardly able to swim her 200 free final, but she gave it her best effort. She also scratched the 400 free because she didn't feel like she could race it along with the 50 free and 200 back.
Here is Phoenix before her 200 back on Saturday, during prelims. She was ranked 2nd from her time last year! She swam fast enough to make finals with a 3 second add, but managed to really push herself in finals, coming in 3rd with a small drop, now exactly 2 seconds off of the sectional cut.
Other high lights for Phoenix include her drop in the 50 free, getting the Far Western cut and getting within .7 seconds of sectionals as well as a nice drop in the 100 free, also 2 seconds away from sectionals.
Rubix had an incredible meet himself, dropping in every event. He is now top 10 in the country for 5 events, 11th for 2 events, and 12th and 13th for one event each. It is remarkable how he was able to keep his focus on Friday and Saturday.
Sunday, was a bit tougher as he was really frustrated coming in 2nd in the 100 breast final, although he went a 126.38 for the 8th fastest 10 and under in the country.
He was so upset that he didn't quite recover for his 50 back, which resulted in an add and his first 4th place. He has been number 2 with maybe one 3rd place for every event for the past year or two. We are hoping he is able to let go more and more of the results and times and focus on the truth that he is fast and loves to swim and can only control his attitude and effort.
Trying to stay cool with some shade in from the hot sun.
Here he is next to his buddy Robert Legg who is number one in the country for almost every event. He broke the National Age Group Record in the 400 free, swimming a blazing 4:30.32.
Rubix's relay team, both the Medley and Free relay took 2nd behind PLS (Pleasanton Sea Hawks). Rubix was able to lead off in the 50 free and get a blazing fast time of 30.61 which is 11th in the country.
Free relay, Rubix, Lucas, Tatsu, Ethan
He was also able to do backstroke in the medley relay and went 35. 78, which was a good drop for him since his 50 back has been a difficult area for him to drop in. Here hei s with Miro, Tatsu and Ethan. (back, breast, fly, free)
Phoenix with Ava and Leeor, two of her close friends.
Robert Legg receiving his certificate that he broke the national age group record in the 400 meter free. There was a special announcement and Keith captured a picture of them both.
Breast stroke podium, Stephen 1st, Rubix 2nd and Miro 3rd.
Robert and Rubix playing games during prelims as Robert only did the 400 free that day and Rubix did the 50 breast and 400 free.
This weekend I had the chance to go to my BSF (bible study fellowship) potluck. Only 8 of us were there, but it was a lovely 2 hours sharing time with these wonderful ladies full of so much wisdom and love for Jesus! They are so kind to treat me as one of them, as I am 20+ years their junior.
This weekend Axel has been crushing the college application process as we hired a college counselor, Sally, to help him through this. It has been such a blessing because she is helping him steam roll through the essays and question writing that he needs to complete the applications. He is absolutely ecstatic to be where he is. He will have met with her 3 times in 4 days! He also met with Coach Kelli from Cal Tech today, who is officially recruiting Axel to run there!
Next up, is Far Westerns and Axel's Princeton Cross Country Camp. Everyone heads out on Wednesday and gets home on Sunday night. I am hoping to post after my trip to Chicago before school starts. It is going to be an exciting few weeks before school starts. Axel already took his senior photos. I am hoping to receive the images in a couple of weeks. I can't wait to share how the next few weeks goes, so check back in a few weeks!
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