This was Emily's fourth year raising money for cancer research and patients with Swim Across America and we couldn't be more proud of her!
You can read about her previous swims here.
And check out her fundraising page here.
I let our summer schedule get in full swing before I looked to find a swim in our area and get her signed up. When I checked the website I was shocked to see they were all in about a week or so - not enough time to raise money! I called the organizers from our old swim team and they said they would be happy to have Emily join their swim.
The good thing about that is it gave us more time to fund raise - the bad thing is that their swim starts at 6:30am and is 30 minutes away. Man, have we ever worked ourselves into a "summer" schedule. My kids have been going to bed so, so late and then we have all been sleeping later in the mornings. Only the fact that they have to be at the pool for swim team practice at 8:30am has us dragging ourselves up somewhere around 8, wolfing down breakfast and racing up to the pool.
Getting up so early on Saturday was tough - and creeping into their rooms and waking them felt so mean, especially little Em who had such a job ahead of her.
Here she is once we arrived at the pool and got her signed in.
Even that early in the morning she is still smiling. I love this kid!
I was a little bummed that our "number streak" ended. Her first year she was #4, the second she coincidentally was #14, so last year we asked to be signed in as #24 ... this year they already had her listed as #17 when we arrived. Oh well.
She likes to use the time as an extra practice and mixes up her strokes.
Jacob & Jane entertained themselves while she swam.
It was really hot and humid, I am surprised they didn't "accidentally" fall in.
She saves 'fly until the end few, so she doesn't tire out too much.
Still smiling at the end.
72 laps - not a bad way to start your morning!
Guess who "wanted in" on the picture?
So we let the goofballs get one too. (They really are proud of her.)
And so are we.
