Dive in

The first weeks of summer vacation were spent at the Y taking swimming lessons. Lenna and Andrew had a great time. After the first lesson Andrew asked "Mom, can I get some swim plugs?" I of course was clueless until he explained "So I don't get water in me- ear plugs and nose plugs and eye plugs and a mouth plug. I get water everywhere!" We have learned to shut our mouth and eyes when jumping and things got much better.

On the first day they start by lining up the kids, banishing the parents to the waiting room behind glass doors, and dropping the kids into the pool to the teachers who say "show me how you swim" and drop them. The ones that swim go to the advanced class and the ones that sink stay in the beginners. It was harder for me than Andrew. I was sure he was going to drop over the edge he was sitting on and drown any minute.

This little girl in Andy's class didn't stop crying the entire two weeks. Andrew thought his first dive was fun, though.

Lenna was hesitant and actually got a stiff neck from trying so hard to keep her face from getting wet the first week. She eventually relaxed and did fine.

Andrew loved the different floaties they tried. He especially enjoyed jumping over the edge after that ball, even when he wasn't supposed to.

Lenna will try anything if new clothes are involved.

Sometimes I had to bribe them with the outdoor water park to get them to go, but they always ended up having fun.
So here is Andy on the last day. Jump in and paddle, paddle, paddle. The edge seems so much closer when you are wearing a life vest.... Made it!

Lenna, professional dog paddler. Just don't ask her to put her face in the water!

TA-DA!! (right after this he dunked her and she came up sputtering and shocked. He had to see if she would remember to not inhale.)

So there it is. Andrew and Lenna are much more confident now and are able to do some basic swimming. When we go to the pool, no one asks me to hold them up- hooray! Here is to a nice wet and hopefully cooler summer!