We have a pool 2 blocks from our house that is for use only by people that live in our neighborhood, and their guests. The kids and I went a lot last year because its hardly ever crowded and such a great way to cool off on a hot summer day. This year I signed Killian up for the swim lessons that they offer during the summer. They hold 4 different sessions, each lasting 2 weeks. Killian started in level 2 because while he has never had swim lessons he was comfortable enough holding his breath and putting his face underwater to skip level 1. I was really happy that we got our requested session, which was the first one of the summer starting right after school got out. Lessons were for 30 minutes every morning Monday - Friday, and Rowan was able to play in the smaller kids pool while Killian did his lessons. My neighbors daughter was in Killians class and it was nice to have another mom to chat with while the lessons were going on.
After 2 weeks Killian and the other 2 kids in his class (very small class sizes - the benefit of a neighborhood pool vs. a community pool!) were not quite where they needed to be to move on to the next level. Our swim teacher was wonderful because she really took her time with the kids...but that lead to them needing more time to complete the level and be ready for level 3. After some discussion, the pool instructor told me that they were extending level 2 for another two weeks!! I didn't have to pay anything for it, which brought my grand total for 4 weeks of nearly individual swim lessons to just $50 - a total steal! So I was really excited about that, but a little bummed out at the same time. A whole month of having a commitment every day really put a hamper on our freewheeling, lazy summer days. It was especially rough because lessons were during the height of our strawberry and raspberry season, making it tough for me to get out to pick berries, come back home for lessons and still get canning finished by a reasonable hour. We managed to make it work though, and it was worth the commitment in the end! Killian has learned how to float, do a freestyle front stroke, a backstroke, and something they call the "Chicken, Airplane, Soldier" aka the elementary stroke. Its been really amazing seeing the change in his confidence in the water, when he started lessons he was terrified of the deep end, but by the last day he was jumping in the deep end, and swimming the length of the pool with the help of a float board. I am so proud of how far he has come, and how much he pushed himself to get there!
On the last day of swim class I packed up a cooler with ice cream sandwiches for the kids, and we had a little graduation celebration when class was finished.
I am looking forward to the rest of the summer, and hopefully some lazy days spent swimming around the pool. For now Rowan is in a floaty or in my arms, but next year its her turn for swim lessons!
After 2 weeks Killian and the other 2 kids in his class (very small class sizes - the benefit of a neighborhood pool vs. a community pool!) were not quite where they needed to be to move on to the next level. Our swim teacher was wonderful because she really took her time with the kids...but that lead to them needing more time to complete the level and be ready for level 3. After some discussion, the pool instructor told me that they were extending level 2 for another two weeks!! I didn't have to pay anything for it, which brought my grand total for 4 weeks of nearly individual swim lessons to just $50 - a total steal! So I was really excited about that, but a little bummed out at the same time. A whole month of having a commitment every day really put a hamper on our freewheeling, lazy summer days. It was especially rough because lessons were during the height of our strawberry and raspberry season, making it tough for me to get out to pick berries, come back home for lessons and still get canning finished by a reasonable hour. We managed to make it work though, and it was worth the commitment in the end! Killian has learned how to float, do a freestyle front stroke, a backstroke, and something they call the "Chicken, Airplane, Soldier" aka the elementary stroke. Its been really amazing seeing the change in his confidence in the water, when he started lessons he was terrified of the deep end, but by the last day he was jumping in the deep end, and swimming the length of the pool with the help of a float board. I am so proud of how far he has come, and how much he pushed himself to get there!
On the last day of swim class I packed up a cooler with ice cream sandwiches for the kids, and we had a little graduation celebration when class was finished.
I am looking forward to the rest of the summer, and hopefully some lazy days spent swimming around the pool. For now Rowan is in a floaty or in my arms, but next year its her turn for swim lessons!