Swimming and More

Yesterday Julia had her first ever swim meet, and she got to swim in three events.  As is the case whenever something is new and unfamiliar, Julia went into the meet feeling awfully nervous. 

I had tried to talk with her beforehand to help run through what to expect when her events began. 

ME: So Julia, did your coaches explain to you how your event will start?
JULIA: Well, what do you mean?
ME: So, do you know what to do when it's time for your event?
JULIA: Uh, like, you just SWIM as fast as you can?

Yeah, I was thinking more along the lines of the commands that will be given (swimmers take your mark, set, whistle blow) to make sure she knew what to do for each command.  But whatevs.  You just swim as fast as you can.  She's got this thing in the bag.

Despite the nerves, when it was actually time for Julia's first event, she seemed completely calm, and after she swam her 25 yard freestyle, she climbed out of the pool looking thrilled.  She later swam 25 yards in the backstroke and then in the breast stroke, and was beaming with pride at the end of each race. 

A successful first meet for our little swimmer!  As we drove home, I asked her about her experience.

ME: So Julia, what was your favorite part about the swim meet?
JULIA: I dunno.  Just, like, BEING there.
ME: Do you feel better about the idea of meets now that you've done one and had fun?
JULIA: Yeah.  I don't know why but I thought it was going to be, like, really COMPETITIVE and everyone would be racing all at once.  I didn't realize it was just going to be kids your age in your race and stuff.
ME: Yeah, it's really low-key.  And you don't even need to worry about your times, you just try and swim your best.
JULIA: But then why DO they time you?
ME: Well, it matters more for the older swimmers, who are trying to qualify for, like-
JULIA: The Olympics?

Yep.  First stop: the YMCA recreational swim program.  Next stop: Rio!

I explained how the older swimmers get the chance to qualify for Districts and New Englands and what not, but that above all the goal was to have fun and get exercise.  That seemed right up Julia's alley, so much so that she is now delighted at the prospect of swimming in next weekend's away meet.

Today we were off to church, and we Christmas-loving female Rowes listened to Bela Fleck's "Jingle All the Way" on our drive there and back.  The only point at which the music caused any friction was when Madeleine suddenly needed to ask me an extremely urgent question.

MADELEINE: Mama?
ME: Yes?
MADELEINE: How come in...in...in...in MOVIES, uh, Mama? 
ME: Yes?  (turning the volume of the music down)
MADELEINE: How come...Mama?  Can you turn the music down?
ME: I did.
MADELEINE: I said "CAN YOU TURN THE MUSIC DOWN?"
ME: I did.
MADELEINE: No, Mama, CAN YOU TURN THE MUSIC DOWN?
ME: (turning the music off entirely) What is it, honey?
MADELEINE: How come in movies, when there are...when...when...Mama? 
ME: Yes?
MADELEINE: How come in movies, when there's a boy and...and...and...Mama? 
ME: Yes?
MADELEINE: How come...how come in movies, when there's a boy and...and...and a GIRL gets a present that the boy likes...Mama? 
ME: Yes?
MADELEINE: How come in movies, when there's a boy and a GIRL gets a present that the boy likes...how come the boy just SNATCHES it out of her hand?
ME: Uh...

Good thing we took all that time to turn off the music and listen to her stammer because that was definitely a REALLY.  IMPORTANT.  QUESTION.

What goes on inside the brain of that kid is truly a mystery to me.