Swimming Lessons Session One

Two weeks ago the kids completed session one of their swimming lessons for this summer.  They each did well, and get to move up to the next level during their next session of swimming lessons this summer.  I tried to take a few pictures each day of them swimming, sliding, jumping, and practicing their skills.  The lead teacher and assistants at the pool we go to each year do a great job teaching and having fun with all of the swimmers.  Our children look forward to these lessons every summer.  Silas's lesson time is 30 minutes long and the girls lesson time is 45 minutes each day.  It is hard for Silas to wait and watch his sisters when his lesson time is over each day.  He had a couple of fantastic teachers this session who recognized this and let him continue to swim with them after his lesson time.
-Week One-

Day One

All three were excited the first day...  Silas was in Tiny Tots.  Phoebe was in level one and Sarah was in level three.

Silas got right in with his teachers and classmates.  He remembered most of the games and skills from last year and he couldn't wait to try out the big blue slide again.

Phoebe did great.  She had at least one girl in her group that she knew.  When it was her turn to practice the swimming skills she tried very hard to do exactly what her teachers asked and demonstrated.

Sarah was a little nervous and wondered if she would know anyone in her class.  She knew one boy.  She did well swimming all over the deep end of the pool and practicing the freestyle, back stroke, and breast stroke.  She still does not dive well - Her chin and face pop up which causes her feet or knees to go into the water first, or belly flop, instead of a dive.

Day Two

Popee and Nanee came to watch our three swimmers today.

Day Three

  Daddy came to watch today.  When Silas's lesson time was over he really wanted to keep swimming while the girls finished up.... instead he found a way to cool off and entertain himself with the water fountain.

Day Four

Silas had three friends in his lessons that he knows from other activities.  Unfortunately for Silas the other boy, his friend Paxton, got moved up to level one during the first week, leaving Silas as the only boy in Tiny Tots with about 7-8 little girls.

Silas became good buddies with two of his teachers, Mr. Dax and Miss Chloe.

Silas got to go down the yellow slide and off the diving board, with help from Mr. Dax and Miss Chloe, today while he waited for his sisters to get done with their lessons.

Phoebe is getting really good at moving her arms and legs in the water to get to the side of the pool by herself.  She also can do a great back float!

Sarah likes to wear goggles everyday for lessons.  They help her see while she is swimming and moving in a straight line instead of crooked.

-Week Two-

Day Five

Silas really likes the "Mr. Alligator" game that his class gets to play each day.  He always wants a turn to be the Alligator.  Below, he and his friend Abigail got to be the Alligator together.

Popee and Nanee joined us today see the improving swimmers.

Day Six

Daddy was able to come watch the swimmers again today.  Sunscreen on and ready for lessons to start...

Day Seven

More "Mr. Alligator", this time he was being chased by Abigail the Alligator!

He got to be the line leader, leading all the girls over to the other side of the pool to put on life jackets.

Tiny Tots got to jump in the deeper water, with life jackets on, swim around and practice floating.

Going off the diving board....

Phoebe can go off the diving board and down the slides then swim to the sides of the pool all by herself now!

Hey cute goggle girl!!!!!

Sarah went off the high dive a couple times during the two weeks of lessons.

Day Eight
Below, I caught Silas splashing all these little girls over and over as they all sat on the edge waiting...

One girl finally had enough.  I thought he might get slugged before I got around there to "talk" to him.

On the last day of lessons Phoebe decided to try the high dive!  She climbed cautiously up the ladder and walked straight out to the end of the board....

I yelled to her, "Remember Phoebe, like a pencil!" and she jumped!  Whoaaaaaaaa!

Way to go kiddos!  You all improved, had fun, and are moving up to the next level.  There were Popsicles all around for all the swimmers when lessons were over.