Here’s the rest of our weekend in story form. (And some other stuff!) We arrived home from Richmond to more sunny skies and headed straight to the pool with Mazen.
He’s doing so well with swim team! He can swim a whole lap without rest, which is such a huge improvement from last year. I can’t wait to see how he does as the summer ends.
Question for you moms of boys: I love the UV rashguards because they are so much easier than using a shot glass of sunscreen on his torso. He doesn’t seem to mind wearing one at all. But Thomas was wondering if the rashguard should come off for swim practice, as it could be slowing him down? He’s so used to wearing one that I’m nervous that if he takes it off for swim team he’ll never want to wear one again. But I want him to have the best swimming experience! Any thoughts?
We all got in to play together after practice and it promptly thundered a minute later. Ugh! The storm never even hit, but it was getting late so we went home and made dinner.
Hot dogs on the grill and broccoli slaw made with Greek yogurt, mayo, and spices! I am suddenly ravenous all the time, and I easily ate two hot dogs!
I went to bed early on Friday since we were out late on Thursday and I had plans to be at the gym by 7:45 on Saturday morning. (That is early for this mama-to-be!)
I had a quick breakfast before I left.
My gym task wasn’t a hard workout (although I was so jealous it wasn’t!) but to shoot some videos for Afterburn for Chris to use to to promote the class on Instagram and for a conference he’s attending. I am so not a video producer, but I think I got some good clips in the set.
Afterwards I did a lame elliptical workout and then headed home to Thomas and Mazen who were chipping golf balls in the yard and setting up our new Nintendo Switch. I am not thrilled about the introduction of video games, but I suppose it’s a rite of passage for kids! (I loved my Super Nintendo.) Mazen will have a limited use schedule, I promise. We ended up going to a game store to buy Mario Kart (and then had a fun time all playing together, so the bonding was a plus!)
New shark outfit from KK by Mini Boden! They have the cutest stuff!
After the game store we popped into Hair Cuttery for a quick cut for Mazen. I think his hair must have nerve endings in it because of the scowl he had on his face the whole time.
For lunch we tried the new Poke Sushi Bowl spot at Barracks Road. I got a pregnancy-friendly cooked shrimp bowl, but Thomas’s spicy tuna volcano bowl looked so good!
We had a lazy afternoon – I took a nap! Mazen went over to Matt’s for the evening, and T and I got ready for a party.
Haaaaay.
The party had BBQ catered from Mission – SO, SO good! I’m having some trouble regulating my eating schedule a little bit these days. I’ll elaborate more in my next pregnancy post, but I go from not having an appetite to being STARVING so quickly, and it’s so unpredictable. I had 1.5 plates full of this delicious food and could have kept going!
Plus some tart and half a cupcake for dessert!
Sunday morning’s breakfast was simple, followed by leftovers for lunch a while later. I had such a lazy Sunday doing laundry, meal planning, a little blogging, and relaxing, and I didn’t leave the house all day! The weather was soggy rain, otherwise we would have been at the pool all day for sure.
For dinner we had rotisserie chicken, easy green chile grits and green beans.
And I felt my first strong, obvious baby kick!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
How are you so disciplined with waking up for workouts all the time! So inspiring! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Sara says
I was a swimmer from childhood through high school, including many wonderful summers of summer league swimming. I am so excited to read about Mazen’s swimming experience! I don’t think the rash guard will slow him down significantly. Many swimmers wear a “drag” suit over their normally fitting swim suit during practice and then in meets will wear just their regular suit or some kind of body suit…you could treat Mazen’s rash guard as a drag suit and let him go without during swim meets. He will certainly feel a bit lighter when swimming in meets, but then you will still have that sun protection with the rash guard during practice!
KathEats says
Thanks for your advice!
Melissa | HerGreenLife says
I was thinking something like what Sara said. He’ll be working against a little bit of extra resistance in practice, but that’s not the worst thing in the world; he’ll build some extra strength and feel nice and light in meets when he doesn’t wear it.
Sarah says
I was coming to post this exact thing about drag suits in practice – if anything, wearing the rash guard in practice and going without it for races in meets (especially when he’s older and swim team might be more competitive) would be advantageous. Sun protection is far more important than whether or not a 5 year old is the absolute fastest he can be, though, so I would certainly keep dressing him as you currently do for swim practice and normal pool trips.
Chelsea says
Former competetive swimmer here as well and was going to say the same thing. Swimming WITH the rash guard is better than not especially if he doesn’t wear it at meets.
Nic says
hi I have two boys in swimming club and to reduce drag it would be much better without the rash guard, also proper swim jammers are a must!! But I live in Ireland so swimming is obviously indoors, no worries about sunburn here!
KathEats says
Swim jammers are tight shorts I’m assuming?
Allison says
Swim jammers are like bike shorts, but for swimming. It is usually an option for the swim team uniform for boys. At our swim club, the younger boys all wear jammers and some of the high school boys wear speedos.
KathEats says
Gotcha. We have a hand me down pair!
Jill says
Both our boys do triathlon, and the rules for it are such that everyone’s torso must be covered, so they’re used to swimming with a tri-suit, or (for my 5 year old) a rash guard and swimsuit. Normally the rash guard is a nice, snug fit, so it doesn’t have that much drag. I would place sun care over ‘speed’ especially where he’s so young, and it would likely make very little difference to his form or speed to remove it.
Colleen says
Does a little drag really matter? This is not high-level competition. I would leave the rash guard on.
KathEats says
That’s my perspective
Linda @ the Fitty says
I’m curious, does Mazen know how to self shower? Or does he still need help? I ask because my siblings started to become independent at his age!
Samantha says
I love that you are introducing Mazen to Nintendo- with the positive note of family bonding! So sweet!
Did the flooding impact you at all? I know most of our favorite parks are still closed from it! 🙁
KathEats says
It was quite intense here for a few days – mostly in isolated spots. One of our main parks flooded, but as far as I know it’s back to normal except for mud. Flooding is so scary.
Rachel says
All my boys do swim team and started out at our pool club summer team. The speedo jammers are the best swim suit – very comfortable and easier to swim laps in than a normal bathing suit. Swim outlet has the best prices. I would go without the rash guard for meets. It will be much easier for him to get his arms out of the water. It’s a short time so it will not be a big deal.
Cait says
My swimmer started out around Mazen’’s age…now he’s a pretty competitive swimmer with the same team,six years later.Rash guard is def slowing him down but I wouldn’t worry about it It he is eager to get in the pool its all good!I am guessing if he keeps it up he will want to “look like a swimmer” for meets etc.Our team has a team suit(jammers or speedos for boys and a one piece for girls in team colors) so we go with that.He loves speedos for practice cause it makes him feel fast:)
All I can say is just invest in lots and lots of sunscreen.We go through at ton during swim season!!And I will second the swimoutlet.com recommendation!,
Leigh says
I was a swimmer for years, even coached the summer swim team for a few years and have a son (not on swim team yet). Like others said, sure the rash guard creates drag, but so do lots of things. At this stage in his competitive swimming career I don’t think it matters as long as he’s comfortable and you’re happy. We live in a society that takes everything so seriously. I really don’t think it’s a big deal as long as he’s comfortable wearing it. ? just my two cents.
Tiffany K says
We are 8 years into summer swim team. Wear the rash guard for practice and take it off for meets. However, substitute swim jammers for trunks for both practice and meets.
Cheryl says
What Greenway is Mazen riding on?
KathEats says
There is a short 2 1/2 mile one that hugs the new bypass in town. It’s very pretty.
Tracey Navarro says
Hi Kath, Your son looks just like you in that close up. Same pose that you normally show. What a sweetheart.
KathEats says
🙂
Katie says
Competitive swimmer (growing up) here. Drag during practice is a good and often intentional thing so that you feel super fast during a race (i.e., if you don’t shave your legs all season but then do for the big meet at the end of the season). Many swimmers wear baggy suits during practice (and super tight suits for races) for this reason. But at his age, it’s all nbd.
Tina Z says
Rash guards do keep you from feeling the water and it might keep him from adjusting his stroke to catch the water. It’s not necessarily all about speed or winning- better technique in the long run prevents injury. It can be hard to adjust strokes as they get older.
Sarah says
We all know Thomas didn’t go to the party with you…why lie about it?
KathEats says
Ummm…he was there. What would make you say this? Some of you are so weird.
Terri says
I read daily, but hardly ever comment. I just wanted to say that I don’t understand why someone would say such a thing to you. I appreciate your posts and hope the weird comments you get don’t dissuade you from continuing your blog. I love seeing what you eat. Also, I was really hesitant to allow my 2 children (now teenagers) to play video games when they were young, but it actually has turned out to be fine. As long as you continue doing all of the wonderful things you do with Mazen (swimming, riding bikes, playing soccer, hitting golf balls, going on trips, playing with friends, etc.), it tends to all balance out, in my experience. It can be great for family bonding while they are young and for fun with friends when they are older. My teens like to play xbox, but also love outdoor activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, hiking, playing volleyball, swimming,etc. They also read, hang out with friends, go to the movies. love to visit art museums, create their own art/craft/design projects, and love to travel. Video games are great for the winter months when it’s cold and difficult to be active outdoors, but when the warm weather begins my kids still prefer being active outdoors. I think it’s all about balance, similar to eating a healthy diet, but including fun foods and treats. You seem to be doing a fabulous job giving Mazen lots of varied and balanced experiences! I wouldn’t worry about the video games too much.
KathEats says
Thanks for your comments, and it sounds like you have great kids! I totally agree on the balance. If Mazen is at summer camp all day running, playing, swimming, then I’m fine with some screen/video time to unwind when he gets home. After all, that’s probably what I’d want to do after an active day!
Kelly says
Haha, stalker alert! Someone needs to get a life!!, (@ “Sarah” not u Kath!)
Kaci says
What a fun weekend jam packed with so many things!
In regards to the weird comments mention, there are a few habitual every post commenters (1 in particular that is literally the 1st to comment on EVERY SINGLE POST of several blogs) that appear on several blogs that I follow & normally their comments are SO out of left field. Sometimes I want to comment back to them with “WTH?!” but I refrain. ha Gah some people are so strange…
Kori says
Some of those comments are real head-scratchers! Where do they even come from? They don’t seem to relate to the blog post content at all. There are some strange people in this world. You do you, Kath. And I have no clue why anyone would think Thomas didn’t attend a flippin’ party with you. Get the heck out, chick.
Ttrockwood says
Seeing as Mazen is all of SIX I wouldn’t worry about if the rash guard is slowing him down! Haha, maybe if he’s in seim team in high school then he can shave his head and legs and wear a speedo, til then whatever he’s comfortable in.
That poke bowl would be fun and easy to recreate for a summery dinner! I make one using tofu baked with soy sauce and sesame oil and i just buy the seaweed salad and pickled ginger. Plus some shredded daikon, sesame seeds, cucumber, avocado, shredded carrot and rice. SO good!
Annie says
Where is that spoon from in your picture of your quick breakfast!? I’m obsessed!
KathEats says
It was a gift so I’m not sure where it’s from!