A few weeks ago, Natalie was in a two week toddler swimming class at the YMCA. We started off in some pretty rough waters. First, she screamed at the thought of leaving her "sop sops" (flip flops) poolside and getting in barefooted. The girl loves footwear, what can I say? The first week she had no interest in going past the steps, would not entertain the thought of going under or even blowing bubbles and refused to remove her sunglasses the entire length of the class. On day three...or four, I can't remember...the instructor taught them how to climb out of the pool. This was great news to Natalie...she happily put both elbows on the pool deck, started tucking her tummy to bring her right leg up and when I helped heave the rest of her onto the pool deck her frown finally lifted. After standing her soggy self up, she headed for the gate to the parking lot while announcing, "I'm ready to go home now!"
The second week went a little better. The instructor had these floating fish toys that Natalie loved and we soon learned she could be bribed with these little plastic pawns to perform a few basic class rituals...blowing bubbles, kicking, pretending to be a starfish, etc. It worked until the fish ran out.
On the last day of the program she wanted to get out of the pool a little before the class ended. This surprised me because by then she was getting a little into it. I tried to convince her to stick it out a few more minutes and that's when she shouted, "I want to get out. I'm POOPY!" The girl knows how to get her momma moving. The funny part was, she wasn't poopy...she just knew that that magic phrase would get her to the locker room showers. Showering after swimming class was her very favorite part of the whole event.
We wrapped up the 10 day class and I took matters into my own hands after that. We had Mommy/Natalie swim clinic every day at our condo pool and now, I'm proud to say....we have a swimmer! Well, a dog paddler! But, she can keep her head above water for a few seconds while paddling and kicking, will actually get her hair wet and knows to hold her breath! Progress.
Grandma Lala was here last week and was a huge help in getting Natalie comfortable with the water! Thank you, Lala! Here are some pics of our little land mammal finding her fins!
The second week went a little better. The instructor had these floating fish toys that Natalie loved and we soon learned she could be bribed with these little plastic pawns to perform a few basic class rituals...blowing bubbles, kicking, pretending to be a starfish, etc. It worked until the fish ran out.
On the last day of the program she wanted to get out of the pool a little before the class ended. This surprised me because by then she was getting a little into it. I tried to convince her to stick it out a few more minutes and that's when she shouted, "I want to get out. I'm POOPY!" The girl knows how to get her momma moving. The funny part was, she wasn't poopy...she just knew that that magic phrase would get her to the locker room showers. Showering after swimming class was her very favorite part of the whole event.
We wrapped up the 10 day class and I took matters into my own hands after that. We had Mommy/Natalie swim clinic every day at our condo pool and now, I'm proud to say....we have a swimmer! Well, a dog paddler! But, she can keep her head above water for a few seconds while paddling and kicking, will actually get her hair wet and knows to hold her breath! Progress.
Grandma Lala was here last week and was a huge help in getting Natalie comfortable with the water! Thank you, Lala! Here are some pics of our little land mammal finding her fins!
Now she's all about being a starfish!
3 comments:
I wish I was in that pool with you right now!! Keep up the great swimming, and starfishing, Natalie! I love you and miss you so much!
WOW! Great Job Natalie! You too Kim that is quite a success. She looks like quite the little fish. Miss you guys!
Little fishie she is! We did the Y swim class here and it was not the best..great job to you Mom for taking matters into your own hands!
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