Swimming Lessons

Ella's track record for lessons of any sort has not been stellar. So when I signed her up for swimming lessons I didn't know if she would make it past the first 10 minutes of the first class. Considering how every time she swims/takes a bath she requires a towel for the tiniest droplets of water that land on her face. I was pleasantly surprised when she actually really enjoyed it.



Her teachers were very nice and the class was nice and small. After initially entering the water Ella got some water on her face and quickly ran back to me to wipe her face. I explained that she was going to miss all the fun activities if she kept coming back for her towel. Surprisingly it worked! She went right back in and didn't come out again until class was over. She even did the nerve wrenching bubble blowing in water skill that she had assured me she would not be attempting. Nothing like a little peer pressure.



Here they are practicing kicking. Sorry, some of the pictures turned out terrible. The lighting was not great and I was holding a small boy in one arm.



If you can't tell, they are learning some strokes in this one.




A little on the backside kicking.



Jumping in



Ring around the Ella. They did it for each child as a getting to know you activity. They loved it!



Distribution of fun noodles. Yep, Ella called the pink one to the chagrin of the other little girl in the class. You'd think she was the youngest of 4 girls the way she dibs pink. I've never heard Seth try to nab the pink one away from her.



This was awesome. They made a fun noodle train and this pool had a little mini lazy river that they went through (you can see it in the very middle, it curves around). Who knew? Go So Jo Rec Center!



All fun noodle trains must eventually reach their destination.



Okay they also had a giant crocodile water slide. Has this place got my kids number or what?



You know Ella was all over that slide. Seth even attempted to get to it fully clothed. "Docdile Docdile!!" (Crocodile) While we are on the subject. My dad pulled up a random crocodile you tube video the other day because Seth wanted to see pics of crocodiles. It is a random very amateur slide show of google crocodile images set to "Eye of the Tiger" and Seth is in love with it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncGF7-ChFSc Enjoy! Now every time Seth sees a computer or my dad he starts chanting "Docdile Docdile!"

All in all a very fun first lesson. Not much actual swimming was taught but what do you want it's prelevel 1 swim at the rec center? I'm just ecstatic she stayed for the entire lesson.

While I was toweling Ella off she asked if "we could do it again right now?" she was bummed that she would have to wait two more days. Then she said "Mom, you said this was a swim lesson but it was a FUN lesson!"