Guppies

In preparation for spending our summer in the water, these little fishies needed some official swim lessons! 

I foolishly committed to lessons for both children on the same day. Sarah and I participated in a Parent-Tot class and Max had a group lesson with two other children. The logistics were slightly more difficult than I had imagined: 2 Kids. Twice per week. Bathing suits. Towels. Goggles. Swim diapers. Snacks (for each child). Stroller. Change of clothes. And the list went on and on....Mommy looked more like a sherpa than a swimmer!

Sarah is a child who will stick her head under the faucet of the bathtub to let the water run over her. So it was not surprising that she had a great time splashing in the water, chasing the toys, and walking on the pool ramp. She did not care for swimming on her tummy - too much like crawling, Baby? The class was unfulfilling, but it gave me the opportunity to spend time enjoying the water with just Sarah.

Sarah happily watched Max during his lesson as long as Mommy kept a steady supply of snacks available. Max had a more conflicted reaction to swim lessons. Max loves the pool and will swim "laps" literally for hours. However, he had a hard time completely submerging his face. There were great days and not-so-great days. Days when he cried to leave and days when I couldn't get him out of the pool. The life of a 4 year old is never consistent! 

By the end of the session, Max was doing well at swimming without a jacket, but we are going to try some individual lessons to help him become more comfortable (and safe) in the water.  And he will have many private lessons in his private pool at Mimi and Babba's house this summer!