We spent most of the summer in swimsuits.
I was starting to fear that years of swim lessons would never pay off, but at least it got them plenty of pool time.
This year I was ready to up it, and just see. So we put everyone in three sessions instead of two. So 6 weeks of lessons pretty much back to back.
And it FINALLY paid off.
Connor and Bella graduated.
It took one session of Shark-Level 4 and they passed!
But we kept them in the next sessions because I viewed it as they could only get better.
They got glowing reviews.
Connor was told he was funny and kind and was constantly improving.
Bella was told she was the sweetest ever, and a great swimmer and should think about swim team.
It was hard to believe they had come so far.
They loved having so much pool time all summer.
Connor did say it was a little much for him so he isn't sure he would want to commit to a swim team in the future. But he loves being a confident swimmer.
Bella enjoyed it so much she wants to try a swim team so we will see. I am so proud of them both.
Sydney and Piper started at Goldfish-Level 1.
They had been at this level for awhile and they were the main reason I was pushing to three sessions. I wanted to see them build some skill and confidence. Really I was testing this whole thing... were they ever going to advance? were they getting anything out of this? It took two sessions but they both finally advanced to Level 2! It was a huge relief to them and me. Sydney even pulled out all the stops and advanced to Level 3 after the third session.
I think they both went in with a fear of water in their faces and kind of using eachother as a crutch not to advance. But this year they weren't in any lessons together, even though they were on the same level. I think this definitely had an impact.
And I couldn't be more impressed by them and all their hard work.
Dean started swim for the first time!
He started off so not wanting to get in the water, let alone sticking his face in.
By the end of the summer he was jumping in and putting his face in and (with a life vest on kicking himself around). We are shocked that he has turned his fears around and although he didn't make it to the next level we are so happy for our Guppy-Level Beginner Prek, and can't wait to see what next year has in store.
(Especially since Lu will be in it with him!)
So while swim lessons lasted most of the summer we spent a lot of time before, after, in between and during lessons ...
... going on walks by the pool, swinging on swings, playing on the playground, having picnics in the park (we discovered the popular free lunch in the park program and took full advantage), going to the library (huge success!), reading, getting jamba juices (our thursday tradition), and visiting the skate park.
It was a very successful swimsuit summer!
