Learning to Swim

When I was five, maybe six years old, my mom enrolled me in swim lessons at the local pool. On my first day, the fifteen year old "teacher" came up from behind me, pushed my head under the water, and then proudly said, "See there is nothing to be scared of. You survived." I had just gulped buckets of water, my eyes were stinging, and I knew right then that this swim teacher was not to be trusted with my life.
I think it is safe to say I was traumatized by the experience.

Thankfully, the boys haven't had such an experience. Blowing bubbles in the water wasn't anything compared to a near drowning. However, this year marks the end of swim lessons. Keagan hates swim lessons and reminded me today that I told him two years ago he could stop taking lessons when he learned to use a stroke. He can do three strokes when he wants to. It seems that this past week he made certain I understood that he didn't want to swim when he proceeded to doggie paddle to and from the ends of the pool instead of using the called stroke. He might have shone independence at the water park on Monday, but it was pure rebellion at the pool yesterday.

Evan can do all four strokes and do them well. He swims gracefully and almost effortlessly. The way I always wanted to be able to swim. He can snorkel in the ocean, dive deep into the coral, and flip back to the surface for air better than most adults. He can swim across the length of the pool and back again and never gasp for air. He can do it again and still not gasp for air. Today I was told that there really isn't anything left for him to "learn", and I suggested that he join a swim team. Sadly, Evan won't even consider it.

After five years of sitting through bubble blowing, kick and catch, shark fin, and monkey/airplane/soldier, I know how to swim, too, and it wasn't nearly as traumatizing as my first experience thirty years ago.

Advanced Swimmers

According to the local rec department, both boys are now advanced swimmers. I am certain that Swim Kids would differ, but both boys can do all four strokes now and both boys can definitely swim better than I can. That should count for something.

The biggest accomplishment, in my mind anyway, is Keagan's ability to do the backstroke the distance of the pool. After the rant about boys not being about to float, Keagan was determined to prove to the teacher that he could float and swim on his back. Unfortunately, he proved this the day the "boys can't float teacher" was absent from lessons, but I loved his tenacity. 

The haircut? Are you wondering if I tried to save a whole $7 and do it myself? We made a trip to the post barbershop, and I said a two but I forgot to say two on the sides. I almost cried, but with Evan poking and laughing, I put on the biggest fake smile and said it looked great. When a soldier next to us smirked and laughed, I gave him a look to kill. I think he thought the battlefields of Afghanistan would be more pleasant than his current place in line at the PX barbershop. Keagan, full of five year old wisdom, told me today, "I like the haircut, but if you don't, Mom, you don't need to worry. It will all grow back."

Evan learned the butterfly stroke this week, and because he can now do all four strokes, he has been invited to join the local swim team. Evan is about as eager to do this as he is to have a cavity filled. I guess this could change, though, because this week he told me that if he was like Deion Sanders and played two sports professionally, he was certain that he would choose soccer over football.

And Evan's lack of haircut is a direct result of Keagan's present haircut. He refused to get in the chair, and I agreed to let him go with his dad at his next bimonthly haircut. I am hesitant because Wes gets his haircut at a place called Ranger Joe's, and because that title has nothing to do with hair, and is instead all about the equipment and clothing worn in a war zone, I am fearful of the end result.

I must remember that it will grow back.

End to Swim

I predict that the next six weeks will be filled with posts outlining every "last" experience we have in Virginia. Here is our first last. Today was our last day of Swim Kids. While I am sad to leave the backstroke and three count power surge drills behind, the boys are not nearly as sentimental. I must remember that I sat quite comfortably in my chair and exerted very little in such state week after week. Maybe if I had been in the water, I wouldn't be so sad to see it end.

Keagan mastered the modified backstroke today and graduated to the next level. After Evan's reward yesterday, it was a great boost for Keagan to leave swim class with a certificate and a trip to the treasure chest. 

Three years ago I initiated swim lessons just so they could learn some water safety skills before we spent a week in Texas at the pool. I had no idea that just a few months later, they would be swimming across the pool better than me! I highly recommend the program if you are in NoVA and looking for swim lessons. It is money well spent.

Swimming for the Gold

My little fish! Keagan loves the water and while Evan sometimes whines about making the trip to swim lessons on Tuesday afternoons, Keagan always looks forward to it. If we could afford it, I would send him multiple times a week. That's how much he enjoys it! Today he was promoted to swim tots six after he mastered the skills kick and catch and see saw. While the soccer and t-ball seasons are coming to an end, he is excited that we will continue to swim throughout the winter.

Ahoy There, Matey!

How can you experience a true summer vacation without a little water park fun? We spent the day at Pirate's Cove hanging out by the pool and the water slides.

We also found ourselves in the sand pit scooping up sand,

but the highlight of the day  was Evan's courageous jumps off the diving board in 13 feet of water.

The Pool

Equipped with bags of popcorn, granola bars, and Spiderman divers, we have all we need for an afternoon of fun at the pool. The boys have learned so much in swim class  that they have been motivated to practice their swimming, floating, and kicks. Keagan is bold enough to go into the deep end as long as he has a life jacket. And I can sit back in a lounge chair and watch it all or I can join them. The freedom I have this year at the pool is welcomed and thoroughly enjoyed!