Swim Lesson Success & Hanging with the Arnolds

If this isn't a happy face, I don't know one.

H came home from his first swim lesson at the YMCA and declared that he didn't need to go back; not because he didn't like it but because he knew how to swim and didn't need any more lessons. 

It was a class of about 10 kids age 19 months to 36 months. They worked on kicking in the pool while holding onto the ledge, they jumped off the ledge and worked on putting most of their head underwater. 

JJ said that H met a nice little girl and enjoyed flirting with her and showing her he was the next Michael Phelps.  He said that H didn't cry and really seemed to enjoy himself. I can't wait to go next week and see how much my little guy is growing up and changing right before my eyes.

H came home ready to show off all that he learned so we had the Hunter Arnolds over for dinner so that the boys could swim in our "pool".  It was a great evening. 

The boys played in the pool showing each other how they can kick, splash and "swim". H & J (who is only a few months older than H) are both taking swim lessons this summer so it will be fun to see how they improve. 

The boys "swimming". This is really crawling in the pool.

H showing J how he learned to kick

J proving that he can do it too

FSU was playing Troy in the Regionals for baseball so we set up the TV outside and relaxed while the boys played. We had a delicious dinner from the grill. Flank Steak, spiced corn on the cob and baked potatoes. Lucy made a wonderful Eclair pudding for dessert. It was a big hit with everyone. I have claimed the leftovers as my own and won't share them with anyone! 

H has finally reached a stage where he is starting to actually play with other kids. He loves to play with kids so much and just revels in being able to play with his friends. It was great to hang back and watch H & J play together and not have to worry about either kid.

Lucy with A

Lucy with J

J rocking Lucys sunglasses

They boys going inside to play

It was the perfect summer evening of friends, swimming, grilling, hanging outside and laughter. I am looking forward to many more evenings like this in our future. 

I hope that everyone enjoyed their weekend as much as we did!

KK

H starts swim lessons today

H is starting swim lessons today. I am very nervous about it. In fact, so nervous that I won't be going to the lessons. I am making JJ take him. 

Why am I nervous? Well, H is definitely not a swim baby. It took him a while to start enjoying baths and even now, after 2 1/2 years, he doesn't like to lay down in the tub. 

So, to help make swim lessons a little easier, we set up an inflatable pool in our backyard this week and have been trying to get him adjusted to being the pool. He has made progress. He now climbs into the pool all by himself and will play but it takes a lot of coaxing to get him to even sit down. 

I got him some goggles from Target to keep the water out of his eyes. He didn't like them at first so we have been wearing them around the house to get him used to them. He won't wear them alone; I have to wear them too. 

Rockin' our goggles

Since we had been making progress in the pool, I decided to try to get him to lay down. That didn't fly with him so I decided to get him to put his head under water.  Before we put his head underwater I worked on teaching him to hold his breath. I can officially say that I am not going to make a good teacher. Example of what happened is below.

As this pictures shows, he was not a happy camper. He did not quite grasp the whole holding his breath thing and freaked out when he swallowed some water.  It was all I could do to keep him from swearing off the pool forever.  We did end the day smiling so I consider that a victory. 

So, swim lessons start today at the YMCA. I will let you know how those go. Please pray for us!

Hope you have a great weekend. 

KK