swimming lessons!

Both boys were enrolled in spring swimming lessons through the rec center this March and April.  Levi was in Group 2 - Toddler and Isaiah was in Group 3 - Preschool.  

Levi's class the instructor did not get in the water with the kids, but a parent did.  His class was full - 8 little ones with 8 adults filled the baby pool right up!  

We knew that Levi would have no trouble with these lessons from our other experiences in the pool recently. He has NO fear of water, being completely wet, his face cover in water or any other water related fear that comes up.  He did, however, have a slight problem with being told what to do in the water :)  

I was very impressed by his swimming skills and how much they grew over the 8 weeks of classes.   By the end of the lessons he has mastered "ice cream scoops" which are the hand motions for the front crawl, bobs, jumping into the pool, walking & running in the water, and front & back floats with assistance.

Before most every lesson Levi was interested in the "big pool" and really wanted to get in.  On the last day of class, Mark let Levi jump to him in the big pool.  He quickly learned it was freezing cold, especially compared to the very heated baby pool and wanted out right away:)

Mark took Levi to most of his lessons, I tagged along on a few and I did take him by myself just once.  I'm so glad that we both got to be a part of his toddler swimming lessons classes.  And he passed with flying colors - he's ready for the preschool class!  Way to go Levi!

I was just a bit nervous for Isaiah's lessons when I learned on the first day that there were 8 little 3 and 4 year olds in the water with ONE teacher, but I was so impressed by the teacher and the behavior of the kids at each lesson!  

Isaiah also impressed me with his skills - he had no fear of trying what the teacher asked and within a matter of one lesson he was completely submerging his entire face into the water (this is no a regular activity for both boys in the bathtub).

He also can do all of the things I mentioned above that Levi can do along with the back float and front float all by himself.  Good job Isaiah!  Isaiah also passed his preschool class and is ready for the swabbies!

My mom has wanted to take Isaiah to swimming lessons for quite some time now so when she learned I had signed Isaiah up for this class she was excited about it.  She ended up taking him to many of his lessons - this was a fun grandma and Isaiah activity.  She even took him to get ice cream afterwards a time or two :).

On the last day of class, Isaiah got to jump into the big pool too.  Being able to do this was a requirement to pass the class.  He had no trouble!  But definitely was ready to get back into the warmer water too.

This class was also a good way for Isaiah to prove his character.  Although the kids are just 3 and 4, it was expected that they listen to the teacher and follow her direction .  There were times that they had to do something on their own while the teacher worked with each child on their floating skills.  Isaiah did very good for the most part.  There was one little boy who was not so good at this and I was a bit worried that Isaiah might follow his example, but instead Isaiah looked at the little boy and said, "that's not what the teacher asked us to do right now."  What a good boy!  

Both boys are ready for more lessons - I haven't signed them up for the summer lessons yet so it may be too late - but for sure next spring.  I just am not ready to commit to every day for 2 weeks in the summer!!  Do you have your kids signed up, maybe I could sign up with you!?? :)