Swim Lessons

It's that time of year again!  If you're a blog reader you probably know how much this family loves the water.  Garrett grew up surfing and fishing in the ocean.  I was a pretty good boogie boarder in my youth and never turned down a day at the pool.  When we lived in Hawaii we felt right at home being surrounded by the ocean blue.  It has been an adjustment living so far from it in the recent years.  Even more of an adjustment, since we've been in Maryland, is the lack of opportunity to enjoy a pool day with the family.  Poos aren't a dime a dozen here like back home.  For the most part, your choices are pay for open swim at a county pool or join a 'community pool'.  That's in italics because community usually implies free or low cost fees.  Here, community pool really means a pricey membership for club access.  Our nearest community pool would cost our family of four nearly $500 FOR JUST SUMMER USE OF THE POOL, may-aug!  And we refuse to pay that kind of money!  Because of this lack of ocean/pool experience {in NC as well} our kiddos have been slow in developing their swimming skills.  At least, compared to where Garrett and I were at their ages.  They have been in lessons every Summer but with such a long gap, it's like starting over every year.  frustrating.  

anywaaaaaaays... i digress. 

This Summer the kiddos had two sessions of lessons.  M-Th for two weeks each.  In the first session they were in the same class, during the second Gavin stayed in that same class while Kayla moved up.  These photos are from the second session.          

Our sweet friend, Sarah, was also there!

Kayla was lucky enough to be the only one signed up for this class so she got 8 private lessons for the price of group lessons.  Score!  And the icing on the cake was that her instructor is also a competitive swim coach and excellent!

She worked very hard learning basic, proper swim strokes and breathing.  She improved every day in the water and has expressed interest in joining a swim team!  This pool has year-round lessons which we plan on attending so next season that can happen :).

she was very proud of her cannonball skills this Summer! 

  I was only somewhat pleased with Gavin's instructors.  Honestly, he was actually swimming better at the end of lessons last year in AZ {that teacher was truly one of a kind!} than this year.  Nonetheless, he had a lot of fun and was very confident in the water, which we appreciate :)