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.

Swimming with Dad

Today began the same way all of our Saturdays lately begin: with a trip to the pool. Once again, Blanden got to go swimming with Dad. Always a treat! Blanden even went underwater a few times (but I didn't capture a photo of that).

There's not too much else to say to describe this posting, except that we are all enjoying our spring weekend routine.

Weekend with B

After Ed's three-weekend photography-course hiatus (in which he learned a lot; as my mom said, we are all the benefactors of Ed's growing knowledge and use of his camera to capture fantastic photos of Blanden), he was able to return to swim lessons with Blanden, and the boys had a blast!

I spent a good portion of this weekend working on a freelance project, thus Ed and Blanden spent a good portion of the weekend alone together. Yesterday they went to Costco and did some much-needed grocery shopping (Blanden likes going to the store, but I'm sure he enjoyed his man-errand trip to Costco with Dad more than girly trips to the mall with Mom). And today they went to the zoo! As always, Blanden was super excited to see his favorite animals...

I don't know exactly what they did on their outing -- after all, what happens in Boys Club stays in Boys Club. But I do know that Blanden's trip to the zoo with Dad today involved an ice cream cone, a carousel ride, and the adoption of yet another member for Blanden's growing giraffe family. Lucky boy! (Pictures to come of B and his newest buddy. Blanden was so tired tonight he fell asleep on the couch -- a first since he was about four months old -- and barely managed a few bites of dinner afterward before finally calling it a day and heading to bed.)

Swim Lessons with Dad

The past two weekends Ed has gotten in the water with Blanden for swim lessons. Blanden has a blast with Dad! Unfortunately my photos aren't nearly as nice as Ed's -- especially in the darker pool room, especially with the delay on my camera (Ed tosses Blanden into the air and then catches him as he comes splashing back down, and much as I tried I was never able to capture the in-the-air moments), so you'll just have to take my word for it!

Blanden loves the water. Thanks to Christmas gifts from Grammy and Papa as well as from Blanden's great-grandparents, he is signed up for two consecutive sessions. He'll go every Saturday morning until the end of May -- just about when his baby brother is due, and Grammy and Papa and Aunt Jill and Uncle Andrew will all be arriving in town to meet the new little guy and, equally important, to kick off Blanden's own summer vacation. Outings to the zoo and various museums about town are already being planned...

Swim Lessons: Session Two

We made it to swim lessons today! Blanden still has a bad cough, but no fever, and his energy level has definitely improved. He was excited to go. And Dad was happy to capture a lot more photos. (He was so disappointed last week as he accidentally had his camera on the wrong setting and didn't realize it until the end.)

Here he is in his ensemble, ready to jump in. Note the new Crocs. (And, yes, we had the cutest kid there. ;) We're not too modest to admit it!)

The toys are big hit, of course -- even in the pool, he was pretending to "mix" (i.e., cook) up something yummy.

And checking out a boat.

Floating on his back is not his favorite, but his comfort level has improved a little bit since last year's attempt.

Splashing around (partly for fun, partly to stay warm!)

Ball was today's favorite word. It was hard to listen to the teacher with so many colorful balls floating around, just asking to be played with.

Practicing "reach-and-pull" (but really just going for the ball).

Getting ready to jump in...

Jumping in --

A highlight!

After all that, Blanden fell asleep almost as soon as he was buckled back into the car -- and slept for an hour! Considering we live about 15 minutes, tops, from the pool, that gave us ample time to run every errand we could think of, as we just couldn't bear to wake him up right away since he's been sick. And then he still slept another two hours this afternoon! Blanden is a great sleeper now at night, but long naps are still very unusual for him. I'd say today's outing was a success.