My Little Swimmers

For the third summer, Sutton is taking survival swimming lessons. We have always thought they were especially important for our kiddos because we have a pool and a pond in our backyard. We also spend quite a bit of time at Grandma and Grandpa's lake house. Lessons can be pretty pricey, too. This past March, though, they proved there worth and then some. Sutton, being a toddler, was running around the dock, lost his balance, and fell in the lake. Grandpa was there immediately, but it was still a little scary. Sutton did EXACTLY what he had learned to do (but hadn't actually done since last July or August) and floated on his back until help came! Of course my heart skipped a beat when Chris told me what happened....but I will tell you, I did not freak out NEARLY as much because I was so confident in the survival lessons that Sutton had taken. So we HIGHLY recommend them, especially if your children are near water any amount of time!

Well, this summer...Miss Sophie is joining him. Today was their 7th lesson, and Sophie is already floating (she did that a little bit in the first lesson), holding her breath, spitting water out of her mouth, and rolling onto her back to float when she is face down, or when the instructor makes her do a little flip. I had forgotten what a quick learner Sutton was at this age (that's what the instructor said....not me!!!), and Sophie is proving just as quick. I believe the instructor, Danielle, has called her a "rock star"!!!! Here are some pictures of her floating, and a video of her rolling over to float...at the end of the post! She does cry some, but not nearly as much as Sutton did. Here is a link to see Sutton's first swimming lessons.

In these pictures, she is floating all on her own! Danielle just has her hands underneath her in case she needs help!

Isn't that a precious swimsuit....thanks, Hope, for passing it on to us!

Sutton is taking his turn. He is learning how to kick on his stomach, and roll over and float when he gets tired. Also, he is learning how to swim to the edge and grab on and/or try to pull himself out. He's not too fond of the work, and does some protesting! He would also do a "dead man float and/or glide on his stomach, and kick his feet when he was floating. He was almost doing a back stroke! But today, she let him slide down the slide...and did swimming ever become fun! Then he calmed down and started kicking his feet when he is supposed to.

rolling over to swim some more.

The slide is a HUGE hit!

We have a few more lessons next week, then Danielle thinks they'll be ready to graduate!!!
If you want more info on Infant Survival Lessons and or Danielle, go here

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