Swimming Season

This week marks the end of the first week of swimming lessons for Gavin and Reese. Let me just say, they have quite interesting. If you remember last season Reese was a fish in water. She would jump and dive into the pool and never once give thought to putting her face in water or being submerged. Gavin on the other hand had his reservations, but would still enjoy "swimming" around in the pool with his floaties on. This season has proved a 180 degree turn around on the two. Here's why (I believe):

First day of swimming lessons Reese has taken an interest in one of the helpers to her class. (see girl in pic below) Reese followed her swimming aid to the toy box at the end of the 2ft rope line (again see pic below) and quickly lost her footing as the pool drops to 3ft abruptly at the rope. I see her struggling, and think to myself...catch yourself Reese, pull your head up from under the water. I start to notice that she is NOT coming back up and her instructor is with 2 other kids, the aid has her back to Reese and the "lifeguard" on duty was looking up at the sky! I start to yell, "uh, my daughter is drowning!" No one says or does anything. I yell again, "MY DAUGHTER IS DROWNING at the rope!" Then everyone starts to realize that Reese has now started to sink to the bottom. The aid pulls her up out of the water (by this time I am at the pool side preparing to jump in with Caden in my arms) and Reese comes out with the widest eyes I have ever seen. I get teary still today just thinking about the pure terror I saw on her face and read through her eyes. The lifeguard then blows the whistle and Reese is laid on her side coughing up water! She's ALIVE! Praise the Almighty! Long story cut really short, Gavin sees the commotion from his class, freaks out and demands to be put in Reese's class b.c, "I need to stay right by Reese so I can save her life...I'm her brother!" So, cute. I couldn't resist and I knew I could count on Gavin to watch her. He has always been protective of his younger sister. Reese, bless her heart, after I held her for about 5 minutes she wanted to get back into the water. This was good so she wouldn't be scarred for life right? Well, she isn't back to 100% and wouldn't put her head in the water for the last 2 days, but today, she overcame this fear and went under to get a toy stick from the bottom of the pool. Everyone clapped and shouted praise for her! She relished just a bit in her new victory. Let's pray that she will come to remember her fish like skills and become one with the water once again. Here is Gavin and Reese practicing their crawl stroke. (Notice toy box has been removed from the rope line!)

Gavin and Reese practicing their kicking under water.

Reese and Gavin working on their back float...still need some work there.


I love these last two shots of Gavin b.c he is such a silly nut cake and always makes me laugh. Here he is playing follow the leader.

Gavin has a CD with stories that are read and one is the story of the Ginger Bread Man. He loves the phrase "Run, run as fast as you can, you can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man!" Now, look at this picture and that is exactly what he is saying as he was running around the pool from his instructor. Oh, it was so funny! I got that one on video as well.

Gavin will now dive for water sticks on the bottom of the pool and keep his head under water. Big improvement for him! We are really proud of his progress. I need to get them both in another session before the summer is over.