Having two children participate in the same sport has many advantages.  They can spur one another on.  It eases the amount of driving back and forth for weekly practices.

One disadvantage can occur when the children are in different age groups.  And the older age group competes all morning, and the younger age group competes all afternoon.  That equals a whole day.

Last Saturday, we found ourselves in that situation where Jake swam from 6:45 to noon, and Derek swam from noon to 4:45.  Sarah and the kids joined us for part of the morning, which worked great for Peter and Jeremy to have friends to play with.

And Mom, Dad, and Jeanine get big hearty pats on the back because they hung in there with us till the end! I know you guys know this, but the time you invest in these kids is by far the most meaningful gift you could give them.  Their faces literally light up when they see their family cheering them on.  I am so thankful for your sacrifice!

Jake and Derek both swam their hardest and did a great job.  Jake earned points for the Porpoise team from swimming backstroke.  Derek’s big accomplishment of the day was competing in a 100 meter IM…four lengths of the pool, all four strokes.