Saturday, July 18, 2009

Tadpole Becomes Waterfrog.



Guess what?  Elliott had his first swim lessons! He is now an official graduate from the tadpole class!  Onward toward waterfrogs...


Elliott Graduating!
We've been meaning to get Elliott into swim lessons for the last couple of years, but haven't followed through until now.  I'm so proud of myself for finally getting over there and getting it done.  I've found the transition from "mom-of-infants-and-toddlers" to "mom-of-big-kids" a little discombobulating.  I feel lost.  What are they supposed to be involved in?  Where do you go to find out?  How much are these things anyway?  When are they?  Which one is the best one?  I'm one of those people who is a sucker for a good recommendation.  If you tell me its the best one, I'll believe you, and dadgum it, I'll buy it.  But I don't have anyone around to tell me these things.  And I really like to follow instructions.  Its difficult when I have to make it up myself. When are they gonna make a manual for child rearing anyway?

However, I got Elliott all signed up and everything and he took a two week course for swimming.  I would say it was more of an introduction to water than learning how to swim, which was absolutely perfect for him.  But that's when I realized that I had only taken the first little tiny baby step into this humongous river of finding out, figuring out, deciding, signing up, paying, driving, bringing, and watching that you do for these not-so-little-anymore kids.  Whew! We're just getting started...

Elliott had an absolute blast and can't wait to sign up for more swim lessons.  Mostly they learned simple things like floating on their backs while someone supports them, jumping into the pool with someone reaching out to them, kicking while being pulled, putting their mouths near the water to blow bubbles, and just generally being okay with being wet and in the water.




They pulled out the big guns on the last lesson.  They turned on all the cool water features, like the mushroom and the buckets.  Elliott has not stopped talking about it since.  It was totally worth it.  I don't know what I was so afraid of or how hard I thought it would be.  Once I put my mind to it, it was really rather simple...and enjoyable.





Don't be afraid!  What's that little thing in the back of your mind you've been meaning to do, but the unknown has left you motionless on?  You can do it...  If I can do it, anyone can! Procrastinators unite!

Photographs in this post taken by David... thanks, hun.



4 comments:

Lindsey said...

Yes I completely know what you mean. signing Lily up for pre-school last summer was like that for me.. A huge step in the world of parenting. I had no idea where to go or what to do. But w/ each step and a lot of prayer somehow the Lord led us to a decent free pre-school in L.A. I am so glad we did it now, I can remember agonizing and wanting to put-it off. But you can' t do that forever. . time sure flies!

Danielle Stewart said...

just what i needed to hear...about the unknown, motionless, and just do it. So glad that Elliot enjoyed his first swim lessons. Love the title.

Nina49a said...

Yay Elliott! I too have been meaning to do this whole "swim lesson thing".. Ahh! I couldn't have picked a worse time to put this on my plate. Nevaeh swam with floaties last year this year she's super scared of the water. It seems we're going backwards. That place looks awesome! How cool are those mushrooms?!

The Montgomerys said...

Great!!! That pool looks really cool, what a great program. We had Hazel in something like that when we were in Cali but there aren't really programs like that here, alot of them are indoors, and I've just been not too motivated to do that. Good for you!!!!!!!!!!! Great pics too...

love you
MON