Bode Turns 15

Clear the roads! Bode Jackson McGuirk is now officially allowed to operate a motor vehicle (provided he's with an adult supervising his every move :-) Bode got his first lesson in government today when we spent an hour at the DMV getting his learner's permit. After the obligatory wait time, we successfully proved Bode lives at our address (and just an FYI: even though I have our address printed on my license that was issued by the same DMV, this does not count as proof of residence.) We didn't do any driving today, but we might tool around the neighborhood tomorrow.

We had a lovely birthday dinner and then snapped some family photos.

We also butchered Happy Birthday, but no one ever accused us of being musicians.

It is so hard to believe it's been fifteen years since Bode was born. How time flies :-) Pleasant day to all.

Ashley's Birthday

To celebrate Ashley's 52nd birthday, we went to the Goofy Golf and then to the Waffle House (we are high class here in the Florida panhandle). I would report the scores, but Bode says the scores do not matter because he got it in the snake's mouth. I did record this magical event.

We then feasted at the Waffle House and worked on putting up the Christmas lights (I'll post the final product at a later date). We then had a wonderful dinner followed by the obligatory singing of Happy Birthday.

We will probably watch some football tonight (sadly, Auburn did not win the Iron Bowl) and then turn in, as we all have to return to work tomorrow (boo!) Pleasant week to all.

State Meet Part 2

Following the State Swim Meet, the boys all went to Sea World. Ashley didn't realize that Sea World now has a number of roller coasters. There were hardly any people at the park on Saturday night, so the boys had the coasters to themselves. I think they all decided to first get some snappy shades so they could look like the Hollywood stars they are.

They then rode the coasters, and we were able to snag some of the action photos; obviously Bode is hating this ride.

Here are Bode and Matias, obviously wishing they were back in school.

Everyone went back to the park on Sunday and posed for a group photo.

Ashley has a ton of additional photos, but I think the above are indicative of the time they had. Sadly, I had to work, so I had to live vicariously through the pictures :-) My mother is now down here visiting, and we are still digesting after a wonderful Turkey Day. Hopefully we'll have time to do some Goofy Golfing this weekend. Pleasant Friday night to all.

State Meet Part 1

 A hurricane delayed the Florida 2A State Swimming Meeting until the weekend of 19 November. It is an eight-hour drive to Stuart, so the team left Thursday after school. That morning, the team had a final practice and then went out to breakfast.

When school ended on Thursday, Bode came home, grabbed his gear, and then headed back up to the high-school, where he would rode with the team in a nice van. The Choctaw Athletic Director put together a nice sendoff for the team. Below is a picture of the five state-bound athletes.

Ashley followed the team van, and they all stopped for the night in Gainsville. The boys dressed alike the next morning for breakfast.

The team made it to Stuart and had an hour in the pool Friday night.

Saturday, the boys had their meet. Going in, we knew the state meet would be a fun meet for the boys, as they really had no chance of winning. They swam great, and got 18/21 in the medley relay and 20/21 in the freestyle relay (they qualified 20/21 and 21/21, so they improved!). Below are the races. First is the Medley relay. Bode swims third in this race.

Next is the 4 x 100 relay. Bode swims second in this relay.

Here is a shot of the results sheet. Note Bode swam a 52.97 for his leg, which is the fastest he has ever swum a 100-free.

We are very proud of the boys, and to reward them, they all went to Sea World following the meet. Stay tuned :-)

Regionals 2022

The big regional swim meet was today. Bode's relay teams went in with a long-shot chance of qualifying for state. There are four regions, and the top 21 times from the relays qualify for the state meet next week. Bode's first event was swimming the butterfly leg of the medley relay. The team shed five seconds off their time and finished in 1:45. They currently have the 18th best time, but there is still one more regional meet, which will be on Saturday. We will have to wait and see if they get to swim at state. Bode's next event was the 200-IM. Below is the video.

He swam amazingly well and finished in 2:10, five seconds faster than his previous best time. He then had a short rest before the 100-fly. Below is the video.

Bode swam a 57.16, over a second off his previous fastest time (which he swam last week at districts). The final event was the 4 x 100 relay. The team came in with a 3:42 best time, and they shocked us all by swimming a 3:32. As with the 200 medley relay, they have a long-shot chance to make the state meet.

Bode swam the second leg of the race, and his split was 53.1, another personal best. After the race, the team posed for a nice picture.

We should know by Saturday night if the boys get one more swim or not. Either way, we are very proud of how well Bode swam during his first season in high school. Way to go, big man :-)

District Results

The big district swim meet was last Wednesday. Prior to the meet, the team had a nice breakfast on the beach and had the team photographs. Various people also took some pictures; below is a good one of Bode and Kate, a fellow swimmer.

There are seven teams in Choctaw's district. Bode swam great, and was 4th / 12 and 3rd / 12 in the 200 IM and 100 fly respectively. Bode swam fast enough to qualify for the regional meet. The region consists of five districts, and the 24 fastest times from the five district meets qualify. Below are the selections for the 200 IM and 100 fly.

Additionally, the two relay teams of which Bode is a part of qualified for regionals. The regional meet was today, so the team met at Olive Garden last night to carb-load. They then went to Jacob's house where the girl's helped the boys shave their legs.

Bode had smooth silky legs, and all he needed was a good night's sleep, which he got. He got to miss school, and he had the meet of his life at regionals :-)