Swim Lessons

The boys started swim lessons this week. The first day was traumatic: Tanner sobbed the entire 35 minutes, bravely (and diligently) doing each thing his teacher asked of him, then holding his arms out toward the bleachers (where I was asked to sit and stay out of the way) and sobbing hysterically,yelling, "Mommy! Mommy!" as if he needed me to save him from his horrible fate. Of course, I wasn't supposed to talk to him or interact so I kept trying to look away nonchalantly, pretending that I didn't see or hear him (although I am sure that pretty much
every parent in a mile radius could hear his sobs).
I was worried that it was going to be a
LONG two weeks, but he bucked up
and on day 2 was done with thecrying and by day 3 was splashing
around, grinning, and yelling,
"MOM! Look at me! I can SWIM!"

We debated putting Jake in lessons again, but when he started the summer afraid of going in the deep end, we decided we needed to do it. He is practicing freestyle and swimming under water. Basically he is just gaining confidence because he already swims well. He is really proud of his little brother and high fives him after each lesson, telling him what a great job he did and how brave he is.

Lessons are at 4:00 so I have been picking the boys up early and leaving Faith at daycare until the end of lessons. I made the mistake of bringing her with me one day and it was definitely an error in judgment. Of course all she wanted to do was swim with her brothers and be in the pool, but this place starts lessons at 3 yrs. old so she isn't old enough. It was not a relaxing time- chasing her around, trying to keep her out of the instructor's way, explaining 600 times why her brothers get to swim but she doesn't- so she will be spending the rest of the lessons at her daycare.

One week down and one to go. If we keep making progress like we did this week, it will be money well spent!