Ben and Elizabeth both started swim lessons in June with Ms. Jane. Ben has taken before and this would be Elizabeth's first time. Ben seemed okay with the plan and somewhat knew what to expect. Elizabeth had never been and was thrilled to take swimming with her friends and her beloved dance teacher. She even was beside herself with delight that she would ride the "bus" to class (aka the church van).
Ben reported that it was fine, but he needed goggles and was confused about when to change in and out of his swimsuit. He would only tell us that he swam the width of the pool and glided with his face down for 5 seconds. Not much more detail than that other than there were 17 kids and 4 teachers (always a numbers guy).
Mom had the opportunity of hearing from E's teacher and classmates prior to hearing about swimming from E. Her teacher said that E had reported to her that she was so excited, but cried a little. The teacher said she assured her it was okay to be scared and to keep trying. E's friend (Mikah the rescuer) reported that Elizabeth did in fact cry "when she had to hold onto the white thing on the wall". But that she was fine the rest of the time. Mom was eager to hear E's version....
Elizabeth was so excited to tell how much fun she had at lessons. Mom wasn't going to let on to the fact that she knew about the crying unless E confessed. Elizabeth told about the bus ride and what two kids she sat by. She even wore a big kid seat belt like Ben in her booster seat. How could she do that on the bus and not in our car?!? Mom asked if the teachers were nice (and they were). Then she asked what lessons were like. Elizabeth said she did her arms like an arrow or something and put her face in and blew bubbles. And then she talked about the white thing.... "Mom, we had to hold the white thing and I cried. I am not going again tomorrow." Mom figured out that the white thing is like a starting block or something they can hold onto on the side while they are waiting their turn. Mom asked Elizabeth if it is scary. She said "No! It is hard! I can't hold on!".... Oh! Now the pieces were coming together. Mom assured her that her muscles wouldn't grow if she didn't keep trying and that it would get easier each time. Her hands are so small that it is probably hard to grip especially if it is above her head and she is trying to hold on. She was still reluctant to go back, but Mom and Dad as good parents explained that this was a necessary step in being able to return to Branson and swim in the hotel pool...
More to come - the kids are signed up for four weeks of lessons and we are hopeful for some increased skills in the water!
Ben reported that it was fine, but he needed goggles and was confused about when to change in and out of his swimsuit. He would only tell us that he swam the width of the pool and glided with his face down for 5 seconds. Not much more detail than that other than there were 17 kids and 4 teachers (always a numbers guy).
Mom had the opportunity of hearing from E's teacher and classmates prior to hearing about swimming from E. Her teacher said that E had reported to her that she was so excited, but cried a little. The teacher said she assured her it was okay to be scared and to keep trying. E's friend (Mikah the rescuer) reported that Elizabeth did in fact cry "when she had to hold onto the white thing on the wall". But that she was fine the rest of the time. Mom was eager to hear E's version....
Elizabeth was so excited to tell how much fun she had at lessons. Mom wasn't going to let on to the fact that she knew about the crying unless E confessed. Elizabeth told about the bus ride and what two kids she sat by. She even wore a big kid seat belt like Ben in her booster seat. How could she do that on the bus and not in our car?!? Mom asked if the teachers were nice (and they were). Then she asked what lessons were like. Elizabeth said she did her arms like an arrow or something and put her face in and blew bubbles. And then she talked about the white thing.... "Mom, we had to hold the white thing and I cried. I am not going again tomorrow." Mom figured out that the white thing is like a starting block or something they can hold onto on the side while they are waiting their turn. Mom asked Elizabeth if it is scary. She said "No! It is hard! I can't hold on!".... Oh! Now the pieces were coming together. Mom assured her that her muscles wouldn't grow if she didn't keep trying and that it would get easier each time. Her hands are so small that it is probably hard to grip especially if it is above her head and she is trying to hold on. She was still reluctant to go back, but Mom and Dad as good parents explained that this was a necessary step in being able to return to Branson and swim in the hotel pool...
More to come - the kids are signed up for four weeks of lessons and we are hopeful for some increased skills in the water!
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