Swim Lessons

Now that the holidays have ended and winter has officially begun, it seemed time to enroll in swim lessons: Blanden's third round and Ellis's first! For the past two winters we've gone to the nearest YMCA with a pool, which isn't really "near" but it's not too far away either. Unfortunately, we haven't thought too highly of it: the facility is old and unkempt, the staff disorganized, the water freezing, and the swim lessons sort of a free-for-all. So after much searching and contemplating we decided to stick with the Y, but to try another one: a beautiful, clean, well-run, well-organized facility out by Mommy's old office, where she used to swim a few years ago -- and boy are we sure glad we did! The boys' instructor is fantastic, much more knowledgeable and structured, and, as an added bonus, the lessons take place in a heated children's pool -- what a treat to not head into the locker room afterward with two blue, shivering baby boys.

 Ellis's first few moments in a swimming pool in the Parent/Infant Class.

Hi, Big Brother! Look at me!  

 

Ellis is such a calm, easygoing guy. I think he'll happily go with us anywhere. Today we said to him, "We're going swimming." And he said, "Okay. Sounds fun!"

Blanden waiting so very patiently for his turn. A half hour is a long time for an excited two-year-old to watch and wait before he could get in too.*

 Ellis practicing with the kick board.

 Sort of starting to get the hand of it...

But really, he's thinking, "I just want that boat out there in front. I'm so close!"

Watching Mommy blow bubbles...

And getting ready to try doing it himself.

"Swimming" to his instructor.

Surfing on the giant turtle at the end of class. (And then promptly falling asleep in his car seat after Daddy got him dressed, happy and exhausted from having so much fun.) 

 And now it's Blanden's turn! He's in the Seahorse Class, with the goal of transitioning the parents out of the water eventually. 

 Practicing how to "reach and pull and kick, kick, kick."

Wearing his "power pack" and getting ready to jump in.

Here we go!

Not too sure about the back float, but willing to give it a try. He practiced using his arms like a chicken, airplane, and soldier to begin learning how to swim on his back.

 He went under!

 Playtime.

 And then it was Blanden's turn to surf on the turtle.

When I put Blanden down for his nap after we got home, he said he wanted to go to swimming class again when he wakes up. I think he liked it!

*We found out that from now on Blanden can play and swim in the other half of the children's pool while waiting for his own lesson to begin. Another lovely bonus! That will be much more fun than sitting in the chair and just watching his little brother. So thank you for indulging us by going through so many photos of swim lessons because from here on out there may not be many more -- it looks like Daddy will be getting in to play too.