Olivia's swim "lessons"

Lauren's great photography skills at work. Here's Olivia and I prior to the time swim lessons start. See the cute smile on Olivia. Wish it would stay for the next half hour.
Day 8 and Olivia's teacher still has to beg her to come into the pool. Yes, this picture looks as if Emma, Olivia's teacher, will be putting Olivia into the water. No, the picture isn't telling the truth. Olivia would not budge. She likes to get in on her own terms and apparently that is always at least 10 minutes into the 30 minute class.

Yes, finally in, but won't let go of teacher when "trying" to do floats. Maybe another session will change her comfort level. Who knows?

Movin' On Up!!

Well, Session 1 swim lessons is now over and the results are in: Lauren's on to Level 2. A session consists of 8 lessons and on day 7 Lauren said, "I should have gone under water before. It's so much fun!" One day prior, I was telling her teacher that I expected that Lauren would just continue in level 1 until she was comfortable. Well, apparently that day came sooner than I thought. I am so happy that Lauren doesn't "FEAR" the water now. She's having fun with it, which is what I wanted for her in the first place. And here are some pics of Lauren getting ready for her swim class.

Swim Lessons-day 3 and 4

Day 3 went horribly. Lauren went backward in her confidence and her fear grew exponentially. Tears were hitting her cheeks as soon as she got in the water. Poor little thing. All she kept doing was looking at me and shaking her head no, as if telling me "don't make me do this!" It was a very hard day. Well we talked a lot after lessons on day 3 and before lessons on day 4. We talked about the fact that her instructor is a life guard and will keep her safe. She said she understood while her face said "I don't think so". I asked...more like pleaded...with Lauren to at least TRY everything that her teacher asks her to do on day 4. She was truthful and said, "I don't know if I can". Well, guess what!?! She did. She tried and did everything! She did the superman glide, the backfloat and flip-over, the getting her face under water, etc. I am so-so-so proud of Lauren today. I wish that I had my camera on day 4 because all she kept doing was looking at me and instead of shaking her head with tears in her eyes, she had a big grin with a thumbs up. As we walked into the locker room, Lauren said to me, "I guess this is kinda fun!" THANK YOU!!!

Swim Lessons-day 2

Olivia is a bit happier with the comfort of her teacher Emma holding on.

Lauren is holding on for dear life even with assurance that her teacher Cliff won't let go.

Well, now that wasn't so bad---but I'm still not putting my head under water, even if you keep making the whole class do it until everyone has (3 times today).

Swim Lessons-day 1

Happiness prior to the start of class is key.

Fear of the unknown is very unsettling for Lauren.

Olivia finally (halfway into the session) got into the water.