I have a little science lesson to share with everyone. First, I need to change the name and branding of #DaddyWrite to that of "Jesse Nye the Science Guy."
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| Just try seeing this picture without hearing the theme song in your head. |
Have you ever thrown a stone into a pond before? What does it do? That's right it sinks. I'll ask another question. What happens when you throw a small child into a pool without a life jacket. That's right; they sink, too! How do you stop the child from sinking? Well, the best option is to enroll them in swim lessons.
That little science lesson was my way of sharing that Ellie and Ethan are currently in the midst of their second week of swim lessons. Great way to start a blog, right? The great thing about Ellie's and Ethan's swim lessons are that they are 100% free courtesy of Clay County. Both kids are enrolled in classes that are tailored to their current level of comfort in the water. Obviously, Ellie's class skews a little older than Ethan's. Also, due to Ethan's age, I'm required to be in the water with him at all times. Hardly a sacrifice for me except for the random cold morning we had yesterday.
It's been really fun to see the comfort levels of both Ellie and Ethan grow over the last week, Ethan especially. Since I'm in the water with Ethan, the amount of time I can spend actually paying attention to Ellie's class is limited. Luckily, one of Ellie's best friends is in the class with her so his mom takes plenty of pictures and videos for Bethany and me.
Ellie's class only has three students, most days, so she gets plenty of time to practice. At first, her lessons mostly consisted of standing on an elevated platform in the water and taking turns blowing bubbles in the water and dipping her head under the water. Now, in week 2, she's actually floating across the pool on her back unaided by her instructor. Don't worry, the instructor is right there in case she sinks. Ellie is also jumping into the water and being allowed to practice swimming back to the ladder. While the water is only four foot deep, it's still a cool experience for her.
Ethan's class moves a little slower but that seems appropriate for his age. Each day though, he seems to get a little more comfortable. Today, he practiced jumping into my arms in the pool and was willing to let the water go above his nose on multiple occasions. It's pretty cute to watch him pinch his nose shut and count to three before springing off the side of the pool into my arms.
Ethan's also grown in his desire to be challenged during his swim lessons. While he initially wanted to be in control of what was happening at all times, he's learned to trust in both me and his teacher to keep him safe in the water. The last two days, he has been willing to float on his back across the pool while being lightly supported by me. He's also been willing to practice kicking while supporting himself on a lifeguard's floatation device.
The thing I love most about watching my kids in the water is just how unafraid they are of the water. While I certainly want them to respect the water and be safe, I'd rather have to teach them something like that instead of having to teach them that the water is nothing to fear. Hopefully their love of the water doesn't go away anytime soon.
As long as they don't sink like the aforementioned stone, then all should be fine, right? #DaddyWrite
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