Swim Lessons - Takes 2-5

Day 1 was definitely the worst. Now, that is not to say the others days were easy, but Day 1 was definitely the worst!

Day 2 started with me joining AJU5 in the circle for her class again. When it was time to get in, she was not willing. I had even bribed her, but it was a no go. So, I took her to the big pool where she had to sit on the bench while AJU6 and I swam. Well, the big pool was a little cool for the little ones, we just after AJU6 did a couple of jumps into the pool (one of his favorite things), we went to the little pool. I decided to let AJU5 in with us, hoping that watching her class AND doing many of the same things with me would help on Day 3. And since the water is at most 2.5 ft deep, it was easy to keep them both safe (AJU5 can walk the whole pool, and AJU6 can walk half of it).

Day 3 started off like the others. I got AJU5 to go into the water with her class, and AJU6 and I went to the big pool - for one jump. Then it was back to the little pool. AJU5 tried to "escape" her class once, but between the teacher and myself, we got her back to her side of the pool and she stayed. She just wasn't comfortable with putting her face in the water (no surprise to me - she HATES getting her face wet), and so she wanted away! Since she did well enough, she got an ice cream cone on the way home.

Day 4 started off okay. The little class just started outside, so AJU6 and I got in before AJU5. I had to get out to help her get in line, but everything was going well. Then they moved to the big pool. AJU5 did not like that. The teacher carried her over, and before too long a parent carried her back to me. She was afraid of sinking, and I accepted it. She swam with AJU6 and I until class was over. AJU6 figured out a new trick - going underwater and trying to swim. He walks a few steps and then pushes his feet back and goes under the water. It is oh so fun to "save" him every couple of seconds. It made it so I couldn't work with AJU5 much at all, but I did get her "dunked" a few times at least.

Day 5 was today. It started out like Day 4, with the parent/tot class just swimming outside. Again AJU5 wasn't sure about lining up with her class, but I got her to join in. They went straight to the big pool. I had to bring AJU6 and join them on the deck until she got settled. But she stayed! She didn't' get in initially like the other kids, eventually she got in even! She is slowly warming up to one of the teachers, and I think that is a huge help! That teacher is willing to push AJU5 a little, but knows that when AJU5 gets upset enough to let her calm down and just ask again later. I hope she is one of AJU5's teachers next session for sure. If she is, I think AJU5 will make big progress! I want her to at least be able to put her face in the water after 2 more weeks of lessons. If she doesn't get beyond that, I am okay.

Oh, and AJU6 kept up with his going under water today. He loves it, and he isn't taking in water at all. So, I think he is getting the idea. Now I just have to figure out how to get him to kick and/or use his arms so he can go somewhere. He is definitely more like me when it comes to water. I am guessing AJU5 is more like her daddy...