GF life just got a little easier :)

School started last week, but the girls still needed mass uniforms. Thursday, we went to Dennis and picked up a skirt and a jumper. Without telling Victoria where we were going, when we left Dennis, I drove to 32nd. and Thomas, pulled up to a yellow building behind a barber shop and parked. It took her a minute, but she read the sign, and said, "A Gluten Free Bakery?!" she jumped out of the car and ran through the door. I think she was shaking from the moment she saw all the "goodies". The place is tiny. They have a couple of frozen cases, and a few shelves with mixes. They had a small table with a few things they baked that day. We tried the Bannana Nut bread, and it was pretty good!

The real test was the white bread.

They had made what they call "White Bread" that day. It's Gluten, dairy, and egg free. She tried a piece, and almost cried. It was good. Very good, actually. They also do what they call "sandwich bread" that has egg and dairy, but since she tried the white bread, she only wanted to take the white bread. They also make pizza crust and they had a pepperoni pizza in the frozen case. We also bought hot dog buns! The kid hadn't had a hot dog on a bun in over 4 months. To say she was happy with her hot dog that night is a huge understatement. This means that occasionally, she'll be able to take sandwiches for lunch!

The biggest impact for our family is that they also make donuts!!! None of us have had donuts after mass since April. We bought 10 chocolate covered chocolate donuts and are keeping them in the freezer. They only take about 15 minutes to thaw and she gets one after mass. She says she won't mind us going for coffe and donuts after mass now :)

Now, if we can find a dairy free pizza for Chloe, we can have Pizza Night at home again!!

Scooter and Buddy

So, while Victoria and I were in Florida, Randy set Scooter free. Literally! Scooter now lives in the back yard:


I'd feel sorry for him, but he loves it! No more cage, well, almost. Because it's been so hot we go out and get him and bring him inside during the heat of the day. He usually makes us chase him and then lets us bring him in. He acts pissed, but it's 30 degrees cooler inside, so I think it's an act. He pretty much stays in his travel carrier on his own.



Buddy, meanwhile, really is pissed. He went to Petsmart on Wednesday. It had been over two months since I took him in for his spa treatment, and because his chest and the back of his legs were so matted, I let them shave him instead of trying to get all the mats out. They shaved in the shape of a V from under his chin to the back of his legs. He came home feeling naked, and he is still angry and embarrassed about it! You can almost see in the picture the pink on his chest. And you can definitely see the look on his face! Honestly, he doesn't usually look at me like that!



I thought he'd be over it by now, but I guess he won't feel right until it grows out a little.

2009 National Championship Meet - Gainesville, Fla.

The National meet started for us, very early June 25th. We all met at the airport at 4:30am. We said good bye to the parents who weren't going with us, and our flight left at 6:25.

Waiting at the gate:

Friday the girls were in the pool at the hotel and then had practice at the "Gator Pool"in the evening. As soon as we got there, we could tell this was a different meet. The air of competition was much more intense than a regular meet. It was also a lot louder! This was the first time this team swam in an indoor pool, and on top of that, there were 30 other teams there! There were more than 30 represented in the 11/12 age group, some may have had a solo or trio there, but not a team routine.

Saturday morning were solos and duets. Marissa made finals, and we were all happy for her. The team competition was in the afternoon. Santa Clara had the first draw and they swam beautifully. The first 16 teams swam, and then there was a 30 minute break. I used that opportunity to go out side and cool off!! It was so hot and humid in the pool, that being outside in Florida, in June, no less, was a relief! The girls were #20, and by then we knew they needed at least a 61 and maybe a 62 to get to finals. The girls had a very good swim....

We were all a little nervous, but we knew they had a great shot at a good score.

The girls waiting for their score:

Nationals Part 2

When the board lit up, so did the Aqua Star parents! We were jumping up and down and yelling. We knew they were going to finals, and at that they were in 4th place!

Coach Shannon and Coach Jessica walking behind the score board:



After the semi-final round, the top 10 teams get to do figures. Then they combine the swim score and the figure scores, and the top 8 teams compete in finals. The two teams in 9th and 10th place pre-swim at finals. That gives the judges two teams to score without it counting, so to speak.

Maddy getting ready for figures:

Sunday, the trio swam in semi-finals, and they made it to finals too! Sunday afternoon the girls had figures and after figures, they were still in 4th place.




11/12 finals were Monday night. The evening starts with the Parade of Athletes. We all had a special treat that night, the National Team was there, and they swam their Technical routine, a duet, a solo, and their Free Routine. In the photo, you can see the girls walking right by the National Team:


Once all the girls were standing around the pool, one of the athletes sang the National Anthem.
Here they were turned around and facing us as we were jumping up and down waving and taking pictures. Built in photo op. I don't know how it happened, but our girls ended up stopping right in front of us. You'd think it was planned.





The Team Routines swam last, as is typical. The girls were very tired. They didn't swim until after 8pm, after having been at the pool all day.

Just before team competition, and just after the National Team swam their Free Routine:

I didn't take pictures this time. In order to take pictures we had to be on the top behind the bleachers, and I wanted to be close to just watch the routine and cheer them on. They swam well again, and to no one's surprise, they came in fourth again. They came in behind Santa Clara (of course), Walnut Creek, and Riverside. A very good showing for this little Arizona team! All the parents were very proud of the girls, and I think the girls were happy with themselves too.

Nationals Part 3

Getting their 4th Place ribbons:

They are just to the left of 2nd place platform:

At Olive Garden after Finals:

Over all, it was a great experience for the girls. I don't think they expected it to be as exhausting as it was, though. I also think this has been a great year for Victoria. she really had to learn how to push herself to get everything done, and to push her self physically. Not easy for an 11 year old. I think what she has learned this year in synchro will help her as she takes on challenges in the rest of her life. even if she "hangs up her nose clip" this summer, I think I will feel that it was worth it for her.

I also want to say thank you (big - big) to all of you who have been so supportive this year. You've bought jewelry, candles, raffle tickets, and brought your kids to laser tag. Some of you came and cheered at the Water show, and some of you have been to meets and cheered the team on. I want you to know that all of you have helped in a big way to make this year possible for Victoria. It means a lot to Randy and me. Thank you :)

Grand Canyon State Games!

GCSG were this last week end (6/19-6/20), and the girls did great! This was Chloe's very first meet!

Getting ready:

She was not part of a routine, but she did figures. It's kind of cute, she's so little, and she does them so fast! If you blink, you miss her figure! I tried to get a picture, but this was the best I got:



While this was Chloe's first meet, this was M. & V.'s last meet in the suits that Pam, Susan and I "blinged"




The girls did very well. chloe took 5th in 10 & under figures, and Victoria took 7th in 11/12's.


The team came in 2nd, and the duet came in 5th. Over all, a good meet for the girls. Now, on to Gainesville!! Florida, here come the Aqua Stars!!

Aqua Stars on Fox 10

Here's a clip of the coverage that was on the Fox 10 morning show.