In between coordinating field trips, planning holiday parties, escorting my kids to Chemistry or literature classes, I also make sure they get to their designated extra-curricular destination.
Wyatt spends countless hours preparing for his comedic speech duo and his team policy debate. The rewards are already turning out positively. This past weekend was his second tournament of the current competition season. Wyatt spent 5 days in Arkansas where 6 states were represented and there were 176 students competing. He ended up getting a second checkmark (it takes 2 to qualify for Nationals) in his Speech category and 4th place overall. He and his debate partner were able to secure a first checkmark and won 4 out of 6 rounds. I couldn't be prouder of him.
At his first tournament, Wyatt and his Speech partner won 1st place and proudly went home with some nice trophies.
This kid is amazing because in addition to his normal high school workload, Debate demands extra research for the ever-dry topic of "reforming revenue generating policies." He has weekly club meetings that last 5 1/2 hours and are spent practicing and being critiqued. There are also whole Saturdays spent at workshops trying to improve. In addition, he schedules time during the school week with each of his partners to iron out details and work on improvements.
Any victory he achieves, small or large, is well deserved!
As for my little Taty-bug, she just turned 8 and is a member of a gymnastics team at a local gym. She has been involved in gymnastics since she was two years old. She was asked to compete when she was four, almost five years old.
At her current gym, it is not "a given" to attend competition. The coaches ask gymnasts to compete per meet based on how they are doing at practice. Thankfully, Tatum was asked to compete at the first meet of the season in December. She was one of 5 girls on her team of 11 asked to compete at that State Invitational. She did a super job getting three silver and 1 gold, helping her team achieve "overall gold."
We had spent many Saturdays at various clinics for her to work on her back handspring and other tumbling techniques. She also spends more than 8 hours a week at her normal practices, conditioning and working on routines for bars, beam, floor and vault. Many nights Tatum comes home exhausted physically and mentally. But she loves it and can't wait to get back whenever there is a break.
I am so proud of my little Tatybug because she has been asked to compete this weekend as well as next month. Her hard work is paying off!!
As for Tatum's and Wyatt's little brother, Dallas, his only job right now is to be 4 years old and enjoy it. Though he is already planning his future by asking us all if we can make it to Ranger Stadium when he is playing his ball game. :) I'm so proud of them all!!!
