Pool Time

We've logged quite a few hours at the pool this summer. Spencer and Emma both took a round of swim lessons at Ida Lee, our local community center, and closed out the swimming season with 6 private lessons from my friend Tera. (Tera and I did a lesson swap; violin lessons for her daughter, swim lessons for my kiddos). Emma has gone from being nervous about putting her face in the water to showing off her dolphin kicks and "mermaid" swimming skills every time we are in the pool.  

Spencer progressed really well in his Level 3 swim class, which was taught by a high school friend of mine who goes by "Mr. Billy" to his swim students. He can do freestyle and backstroke from one end of the pool to the other. He also loved practicing diving off the side of the pool and can do 5 cannonballs in a mere 30 seconds. (He had me count yesterday). 

John logged a lot of time on the sidelines during swim lessons, but he is as much a fish as his brother and sister. Grandma gave him a puddle jumper this summer; it's a clever swim aid that lends more balance than a lifejacket and allows them to move their arms in a swimming motion. John loves to be in charge of his own movement, splashing and kicking to his heart's content. There are times that he just wants to snuggle a parent, but it has been marvelous to go from toting two clingy, nervous kiddos around the pool earlier in the summer to having independent swimmers for much of the time. 

John in his puddle jumper.

This picture is from earlier in the summer, but I love the cheesy grin. Taken at the neighborhood pool.

The week before school started, we used a Living Social deal I had purchased to go to Volcano Island Water Park. This used to be the Algonkian Pool, back in the day, and I remember taking swim lessons here and saving my change so I could buy a grape soda afterward. Grammy, Joel, Sarah, and Trina joined us for the first part of the day, which was so fun! We stayed for a good 5 hours. Spencer conquered every slide in the park, going on each one at least 3 times independently after his ride buddies (the Cummings) left. I was really proud of him and watched from the shallow end where I was hanging with Emma and John while Spence climbed the pavilions and came splashing down.

Emma used her new swimming skills to engage a group of cute summer campers in a game of tag. She was splashing and swimming, gliding underwater, and having a lovely time. It's so much fun to see the freedom that comes with the realization that going underwater is fun instead of scary.

John took a little time to warm up; it was cloudy and a little bit cool when we first arrived. After a while, he found his groove and was king of the baby slides. He also loved the ramp leading into the pool and thought it was hilarious to bonk his head into the railing repeatedly. I didn't think that was such a good idea, so we put a repeated end to that activity. Crazy monkey!

Love these kids, and love taking them to the pool!  

Hurrah for a summer of swimming.