swimming lessons...

I was not planning on the kids taking swimming lessons this year. I was certain that we would start them soon as I really want them to have more ability and comfort in the water than I do (Mom and Dad finally let me quit swimming lessons after I still couldn't pass advanced beginners and I was going into 6th grade!). But come on. G is 3, W is 2, C is still a baby, and S's schedule is not 8-5 everyday -- there is NO way I thought we could handle lessons this year!

Then, after dear s.i.l. C's blog post about their girls taking swimming lessons, I followed her link to Swim America's website and the following things fell into place:
-the last session of lessons was only 1 week (4 lessons) long
-the lessons were only lasted 30 minutes
-they offered lessons in the evenings
-S happened to have all the evenings off the week of the last session
-they started lessons at 3 yrs of age
-and they offered a parent/tot class at the same time as lessons for kids 2 and under

Hmmmmm...S and I talked and started to think maybe we COULD do swimming lessons this year. It would give G a good intro into the water and lessons, and S&W could do the parent/tot class as W is SO monkey-see-monkey-do where his big sister is concerned. So we decided to do it. And I have to admit, I think I was as excited for lessons as G was! It kind of felt like we were doing something "normal," if that makes any sense!

It was a family affair every evening and pretty much took up our whole week. We would make sure that we ate supper early, then we would get everything and everyone ready to go. Little C and I would watch from the stands, S&W did the parent/tot class, and G took level 1 lessons. Then we would quick rinse off after lessons, drive home, throw G&W in the bath and then in bed. Then S and I would take care of suits and towels so they would dry. Only to start all over again the next day!

G had her own teacher which was really nice. One of the things that they do with the kids in level 1 is get them to dunk their heads. We prepped G for this (thanks for the heads up, C!), and she was ready. So ready in fact that not more than 5 minutes into the first lesson she dunked her head under!

My big girl! I was so proud of her! After trying it once though, she didn't do it as willingly the rest of the week, but there were never any tears which we were so happy about.

W's class was more just getting him used to the water. Playing with water toys, dumping water over dadda's head and his head, lots of laughing and smiling (mostly by S and the teacher trying to convince W he liked it, but by the end of the week W joined in too).

But monkey-see-monkey-do W couldn't let his sister have all the spotlight...he dunked a couple of times too!

This really impressed S and I. On the last day, G held the bar and did 5 bobs with her head under water all by herself! She didn't pass to level 2 (which we were actually both glad about), but has a great start to continue with next year.

All in all, a pretty good week.

And now the kids don't yell so much when I dump water over their heads in the bath.