Move Over Michael Phelps!

The beginning of this summer, Larger Child started swim lessons.  This is something that we waited a long time to start, way too long.  He has always had trepidation about water.  He never liked putting his face in.  He wouldn't ever relax if I tried to hold him up, etc.  He refused to even attempt water that was over his belly button without floaties on his arms.  Because of this fear, I held off swim lessons.  Looking back, I wish I had the opposite reaction.  I just didn't want to push him too fast, and have the fear grow greater.  Eh, shoulda' woulda' coulda'! Right??  

THE POINT IS... he began swim lessons this year.  He went through three sessions at our local YMCA.  He started off afraid of putting his face in the water.  He had a floatie strapped to his back.  He clung to the side of the pool like his life depended on it (it may very well had).  That session ended with him getting more acclimated to the water, and willing to at least put his face in the pool.  The fear that gripped him was starting to wane.

The second session, he ditched the floatie in exchange for a noodle.  He learned basic technique of how to move your arms, and began to doggie paddle and tread water a bit.  By the end of that session, he was able to keep himself above water for a few seconds, willing to hold his breath and dunk himself in, willing to jump from the side of the pool (with the noodle), and even took one VERY timid leap from the diving board while clinging to the noodle, into the waiting arms of his instructor below.  

Today was the last day of his third session.  By the end of this class, he was doing bobs (holding his nose and bobbing up and down in the water) constantly, and even staying under for a few seconds at a time.  He was willing and very capable jumping off the sides of the pool and swimming back to the edge, and even now has the ability to swim the entire WIDTH of the pool unassisted by both floatation device AND instructor! He even jumped from the diving board without a noodle, and swam back to the edge without any help!! 

Here he is in action! This is him swimming the width of the pool.  The instructor is next to him, but not holding him or touching him.

This is the Big Jump!!  A moment hesitation, but then the leap!! 

I am so stinkin' proud of him!!  I can't wait to see how he's going to WOW me next!!