All because two people fell in love...: Swim lessons

We've always called Paxton a little fish. He loves to swim, play in the sprinklers, play in the bathtub, take showers. He's never had a fear of the water which in one regard is great but in another, very scary. He has no fear and as a result has never realized how dangerous water can be. As he is getting older and more brave, Matthew and I thought it only fitting that he learn water safety and begin the process of becoming a real swimmer. With plans to put a pool in the backyard at the new house, even more of a reason to know how to swim and learn basic water safety skills. His personality is such that he is very independent and confident - but I wasn't sure how he would do with someone cramping his style in swim lessons -aka- no puddle jumper.

Come to find out he was a bit fearful of the water once he learned that without a puddle jumper on he was a lot less independent and confident. He cried for me during class and I wanted so badly to go and rescue him but I knew he could do it. The first 15 minutes of class were rough - but about 20 minutes into it things changed. He began realizing what he could already do and started to embrace learning vs. just doing. He is a natural and is progressing really well. After a month and a half of classes he can scale the entire edge of the pool, if he "falls" in he can bounce to safety, he can float on his back for about 10 sec (come to find out this is a really difficult skill for kids), holds his breath for 10 sec, if given a little push he can kick his feet and "swim" to the steps, he can hold on to a kick stick and stay a float independently while kicking his feet and has learned more than anything that he is never ever allowed to swim alone!

I have come to realize during this time how smart he is and how he is growing up. He is still my sweet, sweet boy but is really coming out of his shell and learns and grows more every. single. day. We are so proud of our little fishy!

Off to swim - he wanted to hold his bag all my himself

Then he learned it was real fun to swing it around - didn't really want to take pictures!

So excited!

We got there early to observe some other classes first - so thankful we did

*I could just eat him up*

Very nervous ...side note... felt like a loser mom because he didn't have a rash guard on. I didn't get the memo that everyone wears them. I felt like Paxton felt like the kid with rose art crayons instead of crayola - there is a difference people! You better believe he had one on next time :)