Swimming Fools on the 4th

We spent the 4th of July in Fresno where I expected to completely ROAST in 100+++ degree temps. Luckily, I prepared for the worst so I was pleasantly surprised. 105 isn't all that bad as long as you're in the pool!! Which is exactly what we did all weekend!

Brooke hit a huge milestone of jumping off the diving board which I didn't expect her to do for at least another 5 years...just knowing the type of kid she is! She shocked us! I suggested she give it a try and told her to go stand on the board to see how it felt. When she was up there she asked me, "Mommy, will I drown?" Of course I assured her she wouldn't, and 3 seconds later she jumped right in! After a few more times, she got brave and swam the length of the pool, too. So proud of her!!!

Buddy on the other hand is fearless and he would jump off a 10 meter board right now if we let him!! He spent his pool time jumping off the side at least 125 times. HAPPY 4th!!!!!!

More Swimming Success!

Brooke passed her first swimming class of the summer with no problem. But the class she just completed I thought, was hard.

The first day, I completely thought she was in over her head and I kept telling her that is was completely OK if she didn't "pass" this class. I was just happy she wasn't afraid of the water anymore! In fact, I was fully intending for her to be in this class for at least 2-3 sessions.

But low and behold, today I watched her swim half the width of the pool using her "big arms", do a pretty decent backstroke and breaststroke (for a 4 year old), "dive" underwater and retrieve rings and swim, flipping from her back to her front. You have no idea how amazed I was. At this time last year, I couldn't get the kid to jump into the water. And even just last week she was telling her teacher to "come closer" when she swam out to him. Today, she was telling him to go out farther! We are so proud of her. Now I am confident that if she fell into a pool by accident, she would be able to swim to the side with ease. And really, that was my only goal for the summer!!

Swimming Success!

Well, I never thought I'd see the day when my...shall I say..."wimpy" daughter would finally submerge herself in the water, open her eyes underwater and just be a real FISH! Last summer she'd bob her head in (by herself) about as far as her eyeballs. This summer she passed the Level I test and did 10 fully submerged underwater bobs--easily! What a difference a year makes. I was really beginning to worry if she'd be in Level I until high school. She's also pushing off the side and swimming a little way. Honestly thought I'd never see the day.

Little Buddy somewhat enjoyed his Mommy and Me class. But he's definitely more of a warm-water swimmer. It was hard for BOTH of us to bear the water (even though it was heated) when it was 72 and slightly breezy outside. But overall, he had fun. As much as I complained about it, I will actually miss our morning routine of going to lessons. We might do it again in August!!!

Buddy with his certificate...as you can tell, he really cares!

Ready for Swimming Lessons

Swimming lessons have been going well this year. Brooke has finally wholeheartedly embraced the water. She always liked going swimming, but now it's a passion. AND she puts her head underwater--finally! Last year, the teacher could hardly get her to stick her face in, but this year, every time I look at her, she'd completely underwater. She just loves it!

Buddy likes his little Mommy and Me class, but only when it's 78 degrees or more outside. The other day we got into the pool when it was 65 degrees and he just kept pointing to the side saying, "Out. Out." Poor baby! He likes the neighborhood pool MUCH better-it's kept at a nice, warm 80+ degrees as opposed to the swimming lessons public pool that is 10-15 degrees cooler.

I am hoping that Brooke learns to swim this year. So far, she's on track!

Swimming Lesson Success!

Brookey did her first NON-Mommy and Me swim class today! I was a little worried since this was the first time she has been in the pool this year not to mention the first time with strange teachers. She did wonderfully!! It almost brought tears to my eyes seeing how much she has grown up since the first time I took her to swimming 3 years ago. This is a kid who a couple of years ago (maybe even LAST year!) wouldn't let anyone touch her! Today she jumped right into the pool with her new swim teachers with no problem. We're so proud of her!!!!

Bathing Beauty!

Brookey officially started her second summer of "mommy and me" swim lessons. Thankfully next summer, mommy won't have to join her in the pool! She missed 3 days last week since she was feeling under the weather but she's made up for lost time. She can blow bubbles, kick and jump off the side like a champ! She even goes all the way under when she jumps off the side (not her favorite thing to do, though). Here she is enjoying herself in the kiddie pool!