Swimming Lessons

Legend has it that I took swimming lessons for 5 summers in a row and still can't go under water without holding my nose. (The legend is true, by the way. I also took piano for several years and can't find middle C with a flashlight.) Well, now it's Caleb's turn and he's about as excited about it as I was. Mom has a friend in Hot Springs who teaches swimming lessons, so we signed Caleb up for the week that we would be there. Let me first say that it was excruciatingly HOT from 4-5 every afternoon last week. Now, on with the story...

Day one...Caleb grudgingly put his head in the water after some instruction about blowing bubbles, etc. He came up gasping for air and wiping at his face. Mrs. Amanda didn't give up on him, though. A couple of times, she had to push him under, but he toughed it out. After the lesson, he said his very least favorite part of the lesson was getting his face wet. His favorite parts were getting a piece of bubble gum at the end and getting to squirt a water shooter. BUT - at least he wasn't the one who cried the whole time.

By day three, he was getting a little better about putting his head in. On day five, I saw him putting his whole head under when he didn't think anyone was watching, which tells me his confidence and interest are growing. He's certainly not going to win any gold medals anytime soon, but he is doing much better. He can float with some encouragement and he can actually swim several feet, though he really would prefer not to.

We're planning to take another week of lessons next summer with Mrs. Amanda. She has a lot of kids who have been with her for 4 or 5 years, with the skills that she teaches getting harder every year. I'm hoping that Caleb doesn't live up to the legend.