William started swimming on a swim team when he was 5 years old. I put him on a summer swim team because he kept begging me to do it. He took to the pool like a little fish. That winter, he asked if he could do the winter team, too. Right then and there, our swim life started.

Alexander wanted to be just like his big brother, so that upcoming summer when Alex was 5 years old, he asked if he could do it, too. I loved the fact that both of them were doing it together. They had a ton of fun together and really enjoyed the practices and the meets.

When Benjamin turned 5 years old, we put him on the summer swim team. He wasn’t as excited about joining the swim team as his older 2 brothers were, but he loved being part of the team. Practice wasn’t his favorite, so I kept asking him if he wanted to stop, but he didn’t want to. He had fun with all the kids on the pool deck and had a blast at the meets with everyone.

For the last 2 years the 3 oldest McClelland boys have swam. My Henry has always kind of edged away from wanting to join the summer swim team and in all honesty… we didn’t want to push. We figured he ‘d ask us to join when he was ready. When he was 5 years old last summer, he had zero interest. I was due to have Victoria in July, so I was actually OK with having him be by little summer sidekick and not have him swimming with the older guys.

But this summer? Well… he was ready.

He was nervous. He asked a ton of questions about the team and about practice and about meets. His brothers encouraged him to do it, so he was excited… but still a little apprehensive.

Yesterday he did it.

His 1st swim team practice ever.

And now… all 4 McClelland boys are on the swim team together.

Truly a pinch me moment.