Swimming Lessons 2021

We missed swimming lessons last summer because of Covid so they were the first thing to make it on to our January "goals" and summer bucket list this year! This city is growing so much making it next to impossible to get a spot anywhere including restaurants, preschools, or even swimming lessons. I had this particular company recommended to me by a friend but she warned me that they fill their spots super quick. The day they opened registration back in April, I hopped on at 7 AM and the spots were filled in THREE MINUTES! Despite what I thought were fast fingers, I got an email that we barely made it in and only landed one session instead of two. I'm so grateful for that one session though because the last two weeks both of our kids have conquered so many fears and goals! It has been so fun to watch!!

This little lady had a rough time on her first day. She's had a lot of separation anxiety lately (we've seen it the most at church when we take her to her Primary/Sunday School). She cried and clung to me, refusing to get in the water most of the first day. It took slowly inching closer to the water (sacrificing my body because I got soaking wet haha) until her teacher finally reached for and pulled her in. Part of me felt bad because she was kicking and covering her eyes at first but then she calmed down and smiled the last five minutes when they said they got to do "jump-ins" off the side of the pool! Go figure my little dare devil. She also thrived during "free time" and this torpedo shark became her favorite toy to choose ...

Liam on the other hand jumped in the pool the second we got there and was devastated to get out every single time we had to leave! My hope for him was that he would finally learn to go under water without plugging his nose ... when they taught him the humming trick and to blow bubbles, you could literally hear him humming all over the pool as he swam all by himself to the other side! haha He even jumped off the edge and swam to the other side too and learned how to float unassisted on his back. It was all about sticking his belly above the water and relaxing, trusting that he would float. He passed the beginner class and will be moving on to intermediate next summer and I couldn't be more proud of him!!

Both of them loved wearing their goggles they got from Santa in their stockings at Christmas! Lyla refused to keep the strap high enough on the back of her head so they were always falling off her eyes and filling with water. haha She didn't seem to care ... 

I can't not giggle at these pictures of her adjusting her goggles and still squinting that one eye shut. haha

My hope for Lyla during swimming lessons this year was that she would get past her fear of getting her face wet ... not only did she accomplish that goal but she became obsessed with practicing holding her breath under there! 

She did not however love to take a couple of "ice cream scoops" as they call arm strokes by herself to get to her instructor. Every single time they'd say, "Ready to swim to me Lyla?!" and she'd say "NOPE!"  haha I loved that their response was always "Yes!" until she would do it.

She spent a lot of time with a couple other little ones on these steps practicing holding her breath. She was really brave though and practiced floating on her back with support and using the kickboard. 

They were the happiest little fish and are already begging to visit a swimming pool to keep practicing what they learned! Here's to hoping I have fast enough fingers again next year and can get them in to TWO different classes!