The boys completed two weeks of swim lessons, one of my top priorities for them to do while we were in the States this summer. I think knowing how to swim is a very important safety measure not to mention lots of fun and have found it challenging to know how to pursue it where we live (except for the lessons Austin had with our neighbor Jason last summer...those were really helpful). Anyway, find a stretch of two weeks where we would be in the same place and available every morning proved to be challenging, but the last two weeks were that.
Bennett was in "pre-beginner" (is there really such a thing?) and learning for the first time and Austin went into the beginner class (having done pre-beginner two years ago and learning some more along the way). Both boys improved a LOT and learned a LOT though I still cannot say I have a confidant swimmer in the family (who is under 6). But Bennett went from barely getting in the water (never deeper than his knees) to liking being in the water even up to his neck, blowing bubbles and (reluctantly) putting his face in the water, kicking and streamlining. Mostly, he really likes being in the water now. But I call that a big success at this stage...he is only 3.
Austin continues to have a hang up about being in water over his head, but has learned so much. I think if it were not for this mental block about deep water, he would be swimming all over the place. Still though he will now jump into the water with no help or flotation device and pop back up, even jumped off the swim team diver block, will swim by kicking and holding his arms out in front of him (but not unassisted in deep water, even though he is pretty capable). Austin reminds me of myself, often fearful of things where he feels out of control. I remember crying every day before my swim lessons when I was 5 years old. I remember dreading it every day (I think it came after naptime) and hating it, but of course am so glad now that I can swim and grew up swimming. Anyway, despite his fear Austin is improving and loves the water, will freely be under water and dive down where he can touch. If we could just swim more consistently he would be swimming in no time I think. Maybe we will get there by the end of the summer, who knows.
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| Lucy was a trooper coming to most of the lessons during morning nap time. She loved this huge fan that blew in the pool area and would just smile if I held her in and out of the fan's wind. |
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| So after the last lesson, we took the boys to Chuckee Cheese for a special celebration. This is my first time as a parent to Chuckee Cheese...quite the experience, though am thankful this is not a regular activity for us. The boys had lots of fun but it was pretty chaotic. Actually reminded me a little bit of McDonalds in China on a weekend... |
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| Austin got really into the games and getting tickets...he would just go try to play games he had no idea how to play. he still managed to get quite a few tickets, for prizes. Look how intense he is...he barely wanted to sit down and eat his pizza. This is no judgement to those who own video games, but I am really glad that has not made its way into our home (yet... Chris and i don't quite see eye to eye in this one). |
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| This is fun Mom! |
2 comments:
so glad you guys got to do swimming lessons! so fun! (and thanks for the nice comment about jason, too) :o). love you guys and miss you so much! great job, austin and bennett!!!
Leah, good posting about swim lessons. I remember my apprehension about the water, which really lasted until I was almost 10 years old. Thankfully, though, a few years after moving into a neighborhood which had a pool, I was able to swim on a consistent basis every summer, which really helped.
I went from being afraid of the water to swimming competitively, so becoming a lifeguard and later a lifeguard instructor, so there is hope yet for your boys!
Chris has always been a good swimmer, and I don't recall him having the same fear of the water as a kid, that I did.
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