Oh what a difference a year makes! Last year Charlotte SCREAMED for the first 2 weeks out of her month of swim lessons. It was hands-down the worst thing I've had to do as a parent thus far. It was intense Charlotte taken to the extreme!
This year she loved it from the first minute and was the star student. I'm not gonna lie- it was a very nice switch! She still loved leaping off the diving board by herself from day one- she'd yell- "I do it myself!" She couldn't understand why the other kids cried and needed to be dropped off the end of the diving board by their mothers. Of course there are only 4 kids in the class- so I guess it's not too surprising she was the only dare devil.
She could swim about half-way across the width of the pool by the end. She's going to need to learn how to come up for air better before she can go further. Of course the only thing that she struggled with was jumping in and then finding the side- you know the #1 skill you want them to learn so they don't drown. She improved a ton- she still has a ways to go before she's independent but we're getting there. I'm hoping I won't have too many more summers with 3 non-swimmers- it means we can only do the kiddie pool in the backyard when we don't have someone to help.
Look at that smile! She loved swim lessons!
Other than swim lesson for a month each summer Charlotte hasn't been in any other organized activities until June. I double booked her and did ballet/tap class on Fridays right after swim lessons for a month. We would go out for lunch at Pizza Hut or Subway and practice our restaurant manners- it was really fun most of the time. I got lots of comments on how brave (read "stupid") I was to go to lunch with 3 kids by myself. She'd been asking to take dance lessons forever and it was only $25 for the month- and I liked that she got to try it without being committed for a year or semester. It felt a little weird to drop her off with someone I didn't know very well but she did great! Her stranger danger has improved so much! There was a Target just around the corner so the twins and I spent an hour at Target every week- it was lovely! It's probably a good thing it was only a month- since I can always find something I need at Target. I was surprised how much she learned for only 4 lessons- "Stretch plie!" she does the arms and positions all the time- it's adorable. We decided not to do them this year since she'd already be doing pre-school/playschool 3 days a week but maybe in a year of two we'll have a ballerina again.
First time pumping gas. Blurry phone picture.
Paradise bakery ballerina lunch date. Mmmm I love that place.
She is too cute!! Noah was the exact opposite. He'd be good in the beginning of classes, but then start hating it. We've had to quit a lot of lessons because he ended up having near panic attacks before having a lesson. We've held off lessons, even swim for now (although he does fantastic at school). Thankfully Chris' little brother just got certified to teach swim lessons, so we've got a free instructor right down the street--and we are definitely taking advantage!
ReplyDeleteI recognize that pool! Was Alison her teacher? It kinda looks like someone else. Our swim lessons weren't the same this year in Gilbert. :( Almost makes me want to drive all the way to Mesa next year b/c they are so good!
ReplyDeleteYeah Alison was her teacher. She was very patient and positive. Let's sign Finn and the twins up together next year so we can chat! You know you want to drive that far!
DeleteI can't wait until Savannah can do dance. Little girls doing dance is adorable.
ReplyDeleteYou are gutsy! Seara did swimming lessons for the first time this year and was pretty hysterical. But it paid off and now she does a beautiful crawl across the deep end. You try to tell your kids that your meanness is purposeful, but they just don't get it til it's over.
ReplyDeleteTell that swimming/dancing girl to get better. Love Grandma
ReplyDelete