Swimming Lessons

We just finished our first session of 8 classes with our new swim teacher Miss Erin. We decided to go a different direction from last summer and overall it is working much better. We have definitely had some highs and lows over the past 4 weeks. 

Week 1 consisted of A LOT of tears and pleading from both boys and the second lesson I actually stayed outside and the boys did much better. After that they said they would "do good" and I came back in to watch. 

Week 2 was GREAT! They both were excited and gaining confidence and courage. That would be the "happy" pictures below. Gaines was gliding all by himself and wanted to do it over and over again.

Week 3 - Will decided he loved the water and had no fear and Gaines was hot or miss. one day he would be fine and the next day he would just ignore his teacher or say "I can't do it."

Week 4 - Gaines went under way too long while he was not listening and I think he got scared again so this week was miserable. He would cry and plead all over again which made Will more fearful than he had been in weeks. Erin said that especially at his age they go through this but it makes for a really long lesson. 

Overall, they are working on rolling and resting on their backs, if they fall in or get to deep to lean back and rest, blowing bubbles, gliding to the steps or side of the pool, going under, and jumping in. It is interesting even in this this excel in opposite steps. Gaines does really well rolling to his back and floating and Will goes really well gliding to the steps he even kicks his feet naturally to get there. Will can hold his breathe for an unusually long time which is good and nerve racking at the same time. Gaines panics and Will is pretty calm.

Week 2: A turning point! They both had such a great lesson.

Gaines gliding to Miss Erin and Will thinking about it.