Grant has been progressing well with swim this year. He moved into a higher level of competition and has been shaving seconds of his personal-best times with each new swim meet. Grant is learning perseverance builds dividends and leads to success. He has practice every weekday plus Saturdays now which is quite a time commitment. Thankfully, Grant enjoys each practice and gets excited about his progress so he continues to choose practice over play time.
Today was Grant's last piano recital for the near future. It's bitter-sweet as he has developed musically but also personally through increased confidence and mastering a new skill. Grant has decided homework and more focus on swim is what will fill his evenings after school. Rebecca and I hope he will return to piano when he is ready or at least play for family to stay in practice. For his last performance, he played a perfect rendition "James Bond Theme" which was a treat as the movies are some of my personal favorites. Grant is too...
Oh! And this was posted on the same day as the event (for a change)! Dad is also focusing more on homework.
Grant has been learning piano for three years now. He meets with a piano teacher once a week and practices mom each day with the new music he is assigned. His practice is paying off and it shows at each annual recital. This year, Grant was moved up to the more experienced players and was also asked to be the finale playing together with the piano teacher for the crowd. He nailed it! Several families congratulated him after the performance and we celebrated with dinner out. Congrats on your personal achievements Grant...
First, let me admit, I've been a terrible dad by neglecting this blog and not adding more posts of Grant's accomplishments and celebrations. Grant is a wonderful son full of personal determination and compassion for others. I'm lucky to be there for him as a coach and need to remember to first be a father by capturing these memories for a time when they or I begin to fade away.
Son, as you read this later in life, when I have turned this blog over to you to share with your son or daughter, know that I loved you more than I was able to express.
Since Grant's birthday is in late July when school is out and everyone is traveling to get out of the heat, we decided to have his birthday party in May to allow his "core" friends celebrate with him. He was trying to decide between go kart racing at Octane Raceway or laser tag and air hockey at Mavrix. Through some negotiating with the staff and because they are next to each other, we found a way to plan both events for the same price as one "birthday package". This kept the rambunctious young-ones excited, well-fed, and busy. Since they are all competitive, we even had cool swag for First Place in racing and laser tag at the end.
Kids and parents commented the day was a hit! Most important to me, Grant enjoyed his day and thanked us for making it all come together. Check it out!
Okay, okay...I am way behind on updating the blog for sure...
We decided to visit with friends in Munds Park, Arizona for the 4th of July again this year and it did not disappoint. We heard the parade had returned and with Grant unvaccinated, airports are still not a great idea, so driving up to Munds Park was a simple solution. We enjoyed the night light parade and the day parade the next day with floats, fire trucks, and water guns. Grant also had fun with some sparklers. Check it out!
Today was Grant's first day being a 3rd Grader. Like many other 3rd Graders this year, it was online distance learning since it is not yet safe to return to campus. To keep some feeling of normal, we wanted to continue with the tradition of Grant selecting what he wants to wear on his first day of school and showing off his new backpack. Grant selected this salmon with light blue combo; very on-trend for the 9-year-old runway scene. While he will not need the backpack for a few months, we started adding new patches to it like "Don't mistake kindness for weakness."
Grant, the 8-year-old millionaire!
