This summer I finally was able to find a great swim instructor. Allyson took her first round of lessons in June and really did a great job! That's also when Janae and Kaycie both said that they wanted to take them too, so I signed them all up for the August session even though I was a bit skeptical that the younger two really wanted to.
The August session started on Kaycie's 5th birthday, and for the most part both Janae and Kaycie were excited to try. However, immediately after Kaycie's first lesson was over, she promptly told me that she did not want to continue taking lessons. I tried talking her into trying one more time, but she is/was determined that she wasn't taking swim lessons. Both Alexis (the swim instructor) and I thought she did a great job for the first time, but . . . I'm hoping that maybe next year she will want to try again. We'll see.
Janae has really surprised me! She's always been the one who takes a lot of coaxing and prodding in getting her to try something new. I think she was a bit apprehensive the first time out, but she has loved it ever since. The biggest obstacle that she's had to work at is holding her breath underwater and not swallowing any. I think by her 3rd or 4th lesson she has done so well that she either did not swallow any at all or it was just a tiny bit. It's fun watching her during the lesson. One way Alexis has gotten Janae to put her head underwater is by having Janae tell her what kind of fish she see down there (there are no fish). Janae has quite the imagination :o)
Here are some pictures from today's lesson (#5). They only have one more lesson on Thursday and then school starts!
Just in the pool and got the goggles on, ready to go.
Underwater :o)
Swimming with the kick board the length of the pool and back. She didn't quite have her arms in the proper position - they should have been straight and with Janae more in the water.
Allyson waiting for her lesson.
Swimming.
I think they were either practicing just putting her head underwater or reaching down to pick up some rings (to get her head underwater).
I think this is Janae's favorite part . . . throwing the ball and swimming after it.
Jumping off the edge. The last few lessons Alexis had her do this, Janae would always lean down and grab her hands before jumping in. When it was Allyson's turn yesterday, I had Janae watch how Allyson just jumped in, and Alexis would catch/help her. I explained that that is what Alexis wants her to do - just jump in. Janae finally understood it, and said she would try to do it today. The first couple of tries I don't think she quite managed to do it (a bit scary I think), but by the last attempt, she did it or at least I think she did (I was too busy taking the picture to see if she actually did!) ;o)
First attempt jumping off.
Second attempt.
Third attempt.
Last attempt. It looks like she did it, and Janae and Kaycie both say she did, so I'll take their word on it :o)
Allyson's turn on the kick board.
Practicing pushing off of the side and gliding to Alexis.
Learning how to breathe while swimming.
When Alexis taps Allyson's head, she is to turn and take a breath and then continue on swimming.
Swimming the length of the pool and back! And yes, she did it, but with some help.
Learning to do a flip underwater.
Learning the dolphin kick. Alexis pulls the rope fast towards her, and Allyson stays in this position and kicks her feet - the dolphin way :o)
Jumping off the edge of the pool.
Getting out.
Jumping off the diving board. Allyson loves this! She even asked if she could do this on her very first swim lesson ever! Braver than her mama :o)
Looking for a torpedo on the bottom. This is just a toy they throw and then swim after it.
