Swim lessons.

Better late than never, right?

So this summer we signed both munchkins up for swim lessons. After 2 summers in a row of failed private lessons with Brooke, I was adamant about getting her into lessons this year. And because I really didn't want to deal with scaredy cats all summer, I decided Joe needed lessons, too.

Joe's lessons were the Mommy-&-Me type, so I had to join him in the water. Lessons started mid-June & his lessons were at 10 in the morning; if you'll remember, we had a pretty mild summer, so to say the outside air was a little cool for wet bathing suits would be an understatement. The first day didn't go so well (it was especially cool and cloudy); Joe was pretty unhappy about the whole thing. But by the end of the 2 weeks, he had certainly warmed up to his instructor Ashley and was willing to do more things. He loved kicking his legs to splash and jump in off the side. On the final day, he reluctantly went down the slide with Ashley, something he still talks about when we pass the pool.

Brooke's lessons went well...most days. She had brave days and then some not-so-brave days. On her brave days, she'd jump into her instructor Patrick, blow bubbles, and even go partially underwater (she'd put her mouth under and tell you she "went under!") Her favorite activity was playing Ring Around the Rosie; on the "we all fall down" part, they would go underwater. I actually have her on video going almost completely under once; she was especially proud of herself that day. On the last day, she also got to go down the slide. It took a LOT of persuasion, but once she did it, she loved it.

I think swim lessons helped us have a pretty decent summer at the pool. Joe wasn't afraid of the water and Brooke was brave enough to venture out on her own a little bit. While we certainly don't have fishes-out-of-water in this house, we were at least able to enjoy our time in the pool. I have my fingers crossed that the long winter months don't completely wipe out all the bravery earned by the end of the summer!