One Fish-Two Fish

Alex took swimming lessons in Montgomery when he was a baby, one year old and two years old.  We thought the positives were that it was an indoor pool so if the weather were bad we could still have lessons.  The major negative was that it wasn't very structured, or structured at all.  It was more of an open swimming pool time. So, last year when the Montgomery pool was closed due to construction, we took the opportunity to go to New Prague.  Their pool is outside and it rained on us a few times.  We liked the lessons, but felt that he was in the kiddie pool that is two feet deep and not really learning to swim.  Long story short, we decided to go back to Montgomery this year due to the colder weather we have been having and distance.  Also, this would be the first year Aiden could do swimming lessons as New Prague didn't seem to have them for his age group yet.  

I'm not out of my mind.  I don't expect Aiden, or even really Alex, to be able to get in the water independently and swim laps.  I am realistic, but I want them to have exposure to water and to learn to become comfortable in water.  I was very lucky this year as my mom was able to come with us each day.  She sat with Alex while Aiden and I were in the water and that was a huge help!  I don't know what I'd do without her...

Aiden's class was first this year from 4:45-5:15 PM.  I was to get in the water with him and I can tell you I was 100% happy with the lesson.  Ms. Kelly was both of the boys' teacher this year.  She had activities planned, songs to sing and strategies to help make the kids comfortable and feel more independent.  I was thoroughly impressed this year.

Aiden is the more timid one in our family.  Once he gets warmed up, he is usually okay, but it takes a bit of time for him to become comfortable.  When we were in the water and would get done with say bubbles, back float, kick board, singing, noodles, etc... Aiden would always say something like "All Done" "Alex's Turn" "No More" "Bye-Bye".  He usually didn't scream or cry, but you could tell it just wasn't his thing.  

If there were one thing that completely pushed Aiden out of his comfort zone it was the back float.  He hated it and Ms. Kelly would usually come over to get us started.  Once she left, we were up and saying "All Done".  It makes me laugh at how different he and his brother are.

It wasn't all back floats though.  Aiden did have the things he loved. He loved the noodle whether we were doing the horsey and saying "Giddy-Up, Cowboy" or blowing the ball around the pool, he had lots of laughs.

Alex had his lessons from 5:30-6:00 each day.  The only day that would be difficult was Wednesday when he had TBall at 6:15 in New Prague.  But, don't worry, it rained yet it again and TBall was cancelled yet again.  Alex was in a class with 5 other boys and 1 girl. Poor girl, I would have hated that.  Our neighbor boy and a good family friend ended up being in Alex's class too, what a small world. 

This was the first year Alex was in the big pool by himself, without me.  I was very nervous and could hardly take my eyes off of him for the first day.  But, being my adventurous and brave boy that he is, he assured me he was excited and would be just fine. "Mom, I'm a big boy now".

My little boy was wide eyed and ready for this experience.  He took on every challenge and task with a smile and loved his teacher.  He was the only one to remember her name the next day when she asked.  He also colored her a picture at home to give to her the next day.  When he gave it to her on Tuesday she responded with a thank you and "Okay, you pass!" It was day 2 of 5. 

My boy was the youngest in his class and would be tired of it by the time 6:00 came around.  He got out of the pool 4 times on the first day to go to the bathroom.  The last time when I asked him why he was getting out so much he responded with a quiet "I like to get in and out on the steps".  Needless to say, we had a talk that night about wanting vs. needing to get out of the pool.

Well, the teacher was right.  They both passed their classes.  We will definitely be going back to Montgomery for swimming lessons in the future.