Super Swim Star

Lastnight we went to the indoor warm pool at our gym for family fun time. Phill was late leaving work, so I was really glad that my good friend Kelly was with me. This week we also brought Finwe into the pool with us as, eventually, there were going to be three adults.

I explained to Inwe and Larien that both had to use swim noodles until Phill arrived. I didn't bring a float for Finwe as this was his first time being in a pool with other big kids splashing and swimming and jumping. (I shouldn't have worried. He's very gregarious and not sensitive to frolicking little kids making noise.) Larien had latched onto Kelly as her victim of the day. Kelly was awesome. She was just hands-off enough to make Larien do much of the swimming herself.

Inwe was adamant that I was not to touch her. She was going to do this all her own. And, she did. With the noodle under her arms she could kick her way anywhere. She just didn't want to do arms. Many times I was called, "Mommy, look!" Inwe had to show me that she could kick and put her face in the water or that she could (gasp!) jump in the water all on her own.

When Phill got there I passed the happy Finwe to Kelly and made Larien calm down in the water. She was wacky, crazy. I got her to practice going under the water, kicking calmly, and using her arms to swim. She did really well after that calming session.

With Phill in the pool, Inwe got bold. Very bold. She decided that she was going to swim without the noodle. That kid has a powerful kick. Without using her arms, she was able to propel herself a little way. She only got in trouble once; Phill had to lift her up out of the water. The amazing part: Inwe did not panic as she was slowly sinking under the water.

Next up--swim lessons for Inwe. I was going to put Larien in the 3-5 year old class, but I'm not so sure she's up for it in the maturity department. I can always try, but I'm quite leary now.