"Swim!" said the Momma Fishie

Right before we moved we took a little time out from packing and prepping, for Aubree and Bryce to take swimming lessons.  Since coming to Washington my kids haven't spent too much time in the water and Bryce has never taken swimming lessons before, so we weren't sure what to expect.  Aubree remembered taking lessons in Florida and was excited to get started.  Bryce had a lot of fun swimming in the hotel pool on our vacation to California and spent the next two months talking about swimming lessons, so he was likewise excited.  

After the first day of classes, both kids came shivering out of the pool exclaiming, "that was SO MUCH FUN!"  Aubree continued, "I dunked myself 17 times!"

Aubree is by no means an independent swimmer, but she did make a lot of progress with her ability to float and glide under water.  She has no fear of the water and her favorite thing to do is to jump in.  If she had more regular access to swimming I doubt it would take long for her to become proficient.

On the last day of classes, her teachers had the students wear regular clothes so they could see what it might be like to have to swim if they accidently fell in the pool or river.  That was also the day they turned on the wave pool/water park play equipment for the last fifteen minutes.  All the kids loved it!

Bryce impressed me with his willingness to "jump right in."  He never hesitated to run right into the water when we arrived, even when it was chilly (the downside to taking morning lessons in Washington), and he always left class with a huge grin on his face.  Having him be comfortable in the water was our main goal for Bryce, so I consider the class a success.

 

As for poor Thane, well, he had to sit on the sidelines with me, wrapped up in towels to keep warm, and watch his older siblings have fun.  Sometimes it stinks to be 2.  He was a good sport, though, (especially when I let him watch "Fire Truck" on my phone) and I can just imagine that he'll have a blast next year when he's old enough to take lessons himself.