Swimming Lessons - June 29 Thru August 6, 2009

Swimming lessons pretty much took up our whole summer. I signed them up for three sessions. Each session is 2 weeks long. It was definitely worth it. The kids loved it and they learned so much. I was so proud of the progress they made. We just didn't do much but go to swimming lessons!

Kyle and Hannah were in the same class. This was a good thing. They really support each other and cheer each other on. I think they really enjoyed learning together. This is them on the first day of their first session.

Here's Joe on his first day of the first session. He was like a little fish. I wish I could post the video file so you could see how happy he was splashing around out there. Unfortunately it's too big to post!

Hannah with her kick board.

Kyle using the barbells.

Joe got to swim in a little blue ring.

Just being silly before they jump in the pool!

You can kind of see the huge grin on Joe's face. He may be the swimmer in our family.

Hannah jumping in. Kyle was waiting to go next.

Happy as little clams in the pool!

While the big kids play in the pool, Hailey gets Mom to herself and lots of yummy snacks!

Matching sisters!

We even got the big brother to match!

And the little brother too!

It was report card day. Here is Joe getting his report card. The hi-light of this experience is the lollipop you get at the end. Joe always asked for extra for his brother and sisters. Funny, his older brother and older sister got their own with their report card and the baby wasn't aware of lollipops yet. In any case, Joe walked away with a report card and four lollipops.
What an operator! Who could say "no" to those eyes anyway?

By the second session, Kyle and Hannah had graduated to the "big" pool. They moved up from Seals (beginner) to Marlins (advanced beginner). This is really the first time they have ever moved up a level in swimming. :)

This is Joe the first day of the second session. To our surprise he got bumped up to the next level too. Still in the little pool though. He started as a Duck (toddler/preschool beginner) and moved up to Alligator (toddler/preschool advanced beginner). So proud of all my good swimmers!

Here's Hailey just hanging out, watching the big kids and looking cute! What a life!

Here is Joe jumping in. He is in the blue and red swim trunks mid air!

Yay! Report card day again! Yes four more lollipops for Joe!

Here's Joe on the first day of his last session. He is in the last blue ring of the "train". They were going to move him up the the Otter, pre-competitive level. I was a bit scared about that, but luckily they work with them first and kept Joe in Alligators. Phew! I was glad he was advancing but I didn't want him to move up too fast. Better to go slow and learn a lot. Swimming is really important!

Here's my little Marlins in the the big pool swimming with their noodles.

Here's Joe "surfing" across the pool!

And here is my little Joe jumping in again. That is him in the blue swim trunks mid-air!

Back to the big pool. Here's Kyle and Hannah getting ready to hop in for their lesson!

I think a good time was had by all! They all learned so much. I couldn't be more proud of how they progressed in their swimming this summer. I don't know that we will have the opportunity to do lessons in a huge chunk like this again because they are really expensive when you multiply it times three and soon four, but I'm really glad we did it and they got the chance to learn and enjoy swimming.