Just Keep Swimming!

I just have to take a second to brag.  Jeffrey started the month of July out scared to go into the pool unless he was holding around my neck (very tight to the point I could not take a breath, turn my head or move).  He was terrified of the water.

stop

Let me rewind just a bit.

Jeffrey started life as a little fish.  He LOVED bath time and I always had to pull him out of the water kicking and screaming.  His bath water would be ice cold and he still threw a fit when it was time to get out of the tub.  I just knew that he was going to be the next Michael Phelps.  I knew that he had a special love of water that was going to take him somewhere fun! 

Last summer I enrolled Bubba and Jeffrey in swim classes.  Yes, I know it was a bit late for Jeffrey but it was honestly the very first chance I had to do such a time intensive task.  With all the medical issues we had prior to last summer there just was no other time.  I was excited to find a coach who informed me of all his qualifications when I called to arrange classes.  He had worked with swimmers on all levels and seemed to know what he was doing.  Even though everyone in the area had told me to go with another person for lessons I chose this one guy because honestly, he was much cheaper:-/ 

I got what I paid for.

By the end of lesson 3 Bubba threw up in the pool and Jeffrey was so terrified of water I couldn't get him in anymore.  Not the success I was looking for.  I pulled them both out of classes and we stopped the water sports for a while.  I gave them time to do as much forgetting as they could and as much time as possible to erase the memory of the "mean man who called them names".

When we learned that David's job would land us in hotels for extensive time I made the decision that the only way this would work is if we could use a pool every day.  That was the only thing that I knew would help us pass the time in such a confined area.  I called the man everyone had told me to go with and scheduled lessons for the 5 days before we started our adventure. 

TOTALLY WORTH EVERY SINGLE PENNY AND THEN MORE!!!!

In 5 days of 30 min classes both boys were swimming AND HAPPY ABOUT IT.  This man was a swimming whisperer.  He was amazing.  I just sat with my mouth open and could not believe what he was getting my kids to do!  They were able to fall into the water and swim to the wall, swim from the middle of the pool to the steps, and float on their backs.  They were even learning simple strokes and how to come up for air!!!  So amazing!!!

Tonight it was confirmed that we did the right thing.  Jeffrey got in the water, put himself on his back, and he swam from the steps on the shallow end of the pool to the deep end of the pool without stopping or any help at all!  I'M SO PROUD OF HIM!!!!  He did this 4 times and never once needed help or a break.  I have to say, my little man is growing up before my eyes and I LOVE what I'm seeing!

Ok, I just had to brag. 

(BTW, Bubba is also doing awesome with his swimming.  Every single day he floats on his back, tries to swim to the steps underwater!!  I'm am so proud of my little little fish too:-) They make me a very proud mama.)