Swim Lessons Update

We've been taking swim lessons this week. And, while it certainly hasn't necessarily gone smoothly, it's been fun, and not nearly as stressful as it could have been.

If you haven't already read about Day #1, you can click here. But the basic story is that Conner did super-good. (No surprises there!) Micah did okay-ish...except that he wouldn't put his head or face in the water, and that he threw a fit at the end because he didn't get to kick like Little Bill did on TV. They were both really sweet in the Ring-Around-the-Rosies game at the end though.
(Conner and Micah are the brunette and blonde in the front center with their backs to the camera.)

Day #2: Bret took the boys for me so that I could go to my Formation Group meeting. Conner did great again -- Dead Man Floating, (this picture would probably disturbing if you didn't know better!)bobbing, Superman jumping, Superman back floating, face in the water, everything. Micah, however, threw a huge fit and wouldn't get in. He would not even go sit on the edge of the pool by his class. He sat in his Daddy's lap with his softie the entire time instead.

Day #3: Conner swam away like a little fish. Micah thought he was gonna throw a fit and get away with it again...but I reminded him of our numerous conversations after Day #2 -- only big boys who get in the water and do their swimming lessons good get to get a slushie at Sonic. It would be awfully sad if Conner got one and Micah didn't... So he sat on the edge of the pool by his class.He wouldn't even take his shirt off, because he had absolutely no intentions of getting in the water. Until I reminded him again that he had to get in the water and do his swim lessons to get the slushie. So he took off his shirt and sat on the first step. Then about halfway through the lesson, one of the other classes finished up, and a couple of those teachers came and sat with Micah, talking to him, playing with him, trying to get him in the water. Even the full attention of two pretty girls didn't get him in -- until they brought out a floatie boat. That did the trick! Just in time, too. There was only about five minutes left of lessons. I was really starting to dread that trip to Sonic!(Micah is in the front playing with his boat, and Conner is the tallest kid in the back.)

Day #4: Micah started off today with a better attitude. I had high hopes for a more successful day at swim lessons. He was very excited about trying a lemon-berry slushie after he did what he was supposed to. But...he started off sitting on the steps again. When the teacher finally really started trying to get him in, he came running to me, asking for his life jacket. I reminded him that this was swim lessons, and he couldn't wear his life jacket. He could touch the bottom anyway, remember? That was all it took. He ran off and joined his class in the water -- just in time for the treasure hunt! The teacher threw dive sticks and rings in the water, and the kids were supposed to put their heads in the water to get them. Conner did great and actually followed the rules. Most of the other kids ended up getting the "treasure" with their toes. Micah got ahold of someone else's "treasure" and took it to the steps to play with it. Then he could throw it in the water and pick it up without putting his face in the water or using his toes. They both had lots of fun with that treasure hunt.

And the slushies: Hey, I'm not above bribing my kids every now and then! It's at least kind of working -- he's gotten in the water every time since we made that rule, even if it has been for just a few minutes.We'll take those few baby steps, even if they are bribe-inspired! Who knows what next week will bring...