Five Brown Kids

Taye had a goal this weekend for State Age Group Champs - top 8 in any event - most likely 50 yard freestyle. He succeeded beyond his wildest dreams!  Right off the bat he placed 7th in the 100 fly preliminaries and finals.  Then on Saturday he shocked himself by placing 3rd in the 50 free. (I think he's still in a bit of a daze...)  He was ranked 10th going in so he surprised everyone.  The 50 free time (22.13) also gave him his first ever AAAA time.  Doesn't get any better than that in age group swimming!  He earned 10th place in the 200 Free. He wrapped up with a 5th place finish in the 100 free and another AAAA time.  All in all he raced 18 times over four days.  Up and out the door at 6:30, home for lunch and a nap and back to the pool at four for finals each day. Incredible!!!! The third place finish also earned him a "Golden Ticket"  -  an invitation to North Carolina Swim Select Camp in...

Taye had a big swim meet this weekend and he killed it! I'll write about that in the next post. Saturday morning he and Tyrone left early for the swim meet. Big D had a basketball game (a friend from church has been taking him to practices and games for most of the season but she wasn't available this day), Jaxon needed a drive to meet with some friends for paintball and I wanted to work out so I had our favorite baby-sitter come over to watch the girls for the morning. When I got home the girls had gone for a walk to the lake, played play dough and were busy running kites up and down the street with friends.  Perfect day for everyone!

In a few weeks Tyrone heads out on his first medical mission trip.  Anti-malarial drugs have begun.

2 gogurts 2 cheez its 3 plums  1 bag pretzels 2 granola bars Leftover Hamburger from supper  Peanut butter sandwich He leaves early in the morning so this food is from wake up until an after school snack. 

Part of a school project for Taye.... I was asleep....

Tyrone worked Friday night and then on Saturday other than the hour and half that I was home so that he could work out I was out shuttling kids around to activities. In the middle of the afternoon I get this text from Taye.... And I totally bought into it. Tired dad home with kids could be frustrated... I came home with more ice cream and Tyrone was totally fine. And happy to have another ice cream option.   Tayeberry!!! 

Taye swam for his high school swim team this year - he still practices with his club team but he was able to go to a few high school practices and represent his high school at all the meets.  His high school men's team won their conference title, moved onto regionals last weekend and finished up with states yesterday. Taye swam in 2 relays for states and they made it to finals in both. Taye will be a real contender in a year or two once he catches up in size to some  seniors.  Swim like a brown! 

From this trip last summer.  

Tyrone and Blythe stayed in Raleigh for winter storm Jonas. They got way more ice than snow. Face time with mommy

Why the same salary as yours doesn't stretch quite as far. 1.  Food for 6 people 2.  Two cars 3.  Clothes for 6 people 4.  Student Loan payoff for 2 years 3 months of keeping five people housed and fed with only my tiny part time job.  5.  Kid activities just this month: Taye's swim - $300 plus food for the travel meet plus the usual $330 for swim plus gas and equipment Jaxon's basketball - $450 due by month's end for a season of AAU basketball Jaxon school science class - $200 down payment for trip to Florida Should I include the $970 down payment for Jaxon's braces here? Alright... Let's move on to February. 

Blythe's adoring neighbor friend ran over with a valentine as we were leaving for school the other morning. So sweet!