Swimming Lessons

We have wrapped up another couple of sessions of swimming lessons. I am so proud of both Kirra and Jaret for the growth in just two short weeks. Being able to be outside in the beautiful sunshine for lessons was great this year. Although we did have one day that Jaret's class was cancelled as it started lightening after all of the students in his class did just four lengths in the pool.

The kids were not super enthused about taking lessons to begin the first week. Don't get me wrong, they love the water - being at the pool or a lake and splashing around but taking lessons is too much like work and in the summer, they would rather play and hang out instead of doing something that seems too much like school. However, after the first day, the already had a better attitude. And there was a little incentive of concession in it for them a couple of times.

After the first week, and both of them passing, they decided they wanted to sign up and do another week. Kirra decided right away and we were able to get her in with the same teacher - Hollen, who she really liked.

Jaret needed a little time to think about it as his lessons were more exhaustive with so many lengths of the pool and treading water. However, after some conversation, he decided he did indeed want to do another week of lessons. He and I talked about it being part of Project Thirteen (his physical goal to accomplish before his thirteenth birthday - idea from He's Almost A Teenager). And he decided that it may be a good idea to keep his options open in case he wanted to go further in lessons and become a lifeguard one day. He figured they have a pretty good job and get paid well. This conversation was had while he was sitting watching the lifeguards during public swim. "I mean, they get to sit on the chair in the sun and just watch all the people in the pool."

He then decided he wanted to ask the lifeguards some questions. I giggled as he went and asked one of the lifeguards, "What the average salary of a lifeguard/what is the pressure of the water at the bottom of the pool in the deep end, because I know what it is for the Marianna Trench?" It was funny when the lifeguard just smiled at him, giggled, and told him he would need to google the second question.

Jaret had two different teachers, both named Paige. On the first day of the second week, he was a little unsure of the teacher as she seemed pretty particular. However, he came to realize she was maybe the best teacher he ever had because of how good she was at correctly teaching different strokes. He knows he got so much better doing his breast stroke in the second week of lessons and I would have to agree.

I truly enjoyed the two weeks of swimming lessons and watching the kids - their effort, enthusiasm, and their growth. Such a proud mom!