Swimming lessons

We started Summer vacation with a bang! It has been a fun, whirlwind of a week! I have a new work schedule and the kids are ALL doing swimming lessons! The girls go at 9am and Brayden goes at 4pm. Not the best schedule, but it's what would work. Brayden is going to VBS (vacation bible school) next week in the mornings, so we had to do afternoon swimming. I think it's a little ridiculous how busy a five year old can be. :) This is his only thing for the summer (that I know of). Anyway, it has worked out well, between me, Auntie Sarah and Auntie Helen everyone has made it to swimming class! Ready and waiting! The first day Danielle sat and watched for the first half, then she just jumped right in and joined her sister. (It's only the two of them, you can't beat a private lesson!) They both LOVE the water, which is a huge relief. They both love it so much in fact, they have no fear, which is really scary for me, considering they don't know the dangers of the water......

Ellie floating on her back.

Dani kicking away.
At the end of the lesson they get to jump into the pool and the teacher catches them! On the third day, Dani was feeling quite confident apparently. Ellie jumped in first and the teacher caught her, and then Dani just went for it. She jumped in without any hesitation. The problem was the teacher wasn't ready, and didn't quite know what to do.....she put Ellie back up on the side and then grabbed Dani, who was sinking fast! In that split second where she hesitated, I was up off the bench heading over. It was weird (and scary) that she decided to put Ellie back before she reached down for Dani (who was right next to her). I don't know, maybe it's my motherly instincts, but I would have gone right for her......I know they know what they're doing and I do trust the teachers, but on the other hand, they are all high schoolers....kind of scary when you really think about it.

Brayden and cousin Ally listening intently to their teacher. Don't they look great? Hopefully this behavior will last through next week! I couldn't get a good pic. of them, they were in a weird spot in the pool. :(

Funny story about Brayden though.....while they were in their afternoon class, I decided I would swim too. The big pool is right next to the pool they have lessons in. I was swimming my laps IN the water, and I could still hear my son answering the teacher's questions. ;) For those of you who have been around us, you know how loud Brayden talks! Well, in the pool area EVERYTHING echos! I could also hear the teacher saying, "SSHHH!" I thought, 'good luck, I've been trying that for years!" :)

Random Picture

Dan Dan being the little mommy. She got inside the baby cradle and rocked her baby.

***Err, I forgot the best part about Dani's story.....after the teacher saved her from drowning, she came up to the surface as proud as can be, with a HUGE grin and yelled, "I did it MOMMY!"