Swim Lessons!

Olivia took her first swimming lessons this summer! They were held at the Seaville Swim Club and her teacher was Gini Sessions. Olivia absolutely loved it! She would sing a little song every day on the way there about how much she loved swimming lessons! Her friend from Preschool, Zoe Seifert, took the same class. It worked out great because Zoe's little brother, McCoy, is the same age as Ethan and they played together so well while Michelle and I videotaped and photographed to our heart's content. Michelle and I were so shocked at how quickly the teacher got them in the water and got them going. I think it really helped going every day for two weeks to maintain consistency and help them remember what they were learning. Olivia was unsure at first and very cautious - like she is about most things. Gini did a wonderful job of being sensitive yet getting Olivia to do things. Olivia was so absolutely adamant about not jumping in or going down the slide or off the diving board. Gini would try to coax her in and Olivia would stand back and just shake her head. I really pray that she maintains her amazing ability to firmly stand her ground when she gets older and is dealing with peer pressure. I love that about her! Ethan thoroughly enjoyed watching the activities but will be more pleased when he can jump in and take swimming lessons too! The rules of the pool were that we couldn't go beyond the yellow line, so Ethan would stand on the line and watch or take pictures with his Mickey Mouse camera. Sometimes he would join in their review at the beginning of the lesson. Olivia made great progress over the two weeks! On the last day Gini still had to put Olivia in the water from off the diving board (and into the arms of her helper) but Olivia did walk on the diving board by herself instead of Gini having to carry her as in the days prior. By the end she was able to go all the way under and blow bubbles, her kicks were much more controlled, and she was getting very comfortable in the water. We are all so proud of her and we are so happy that she just absolutely loves it and can't wait until next summer to take swimming lessons again! For a couple of years she did say that she wanted to be a swimmer when she grew up!