Swimming

This year, we finally managed to get Drew into a swimming class. He's done water babies and other toddler classes, but this is his first all alone in the pool class. I mean, there's a teacher, classmates, etc. Just no mom or dad. At first it scared me, but now I'm so proud. He is
a little afraid, but keeps trying. I wish I'd been more into swimming as a child. I'm nervous in water now as an adult, and as such will miss things with my kids since it's likely that Drew and Tucker will both be outswimming me within the next 4 years.

As of tonight, Drew can go underwater and blow bubbles, and crab walk along a wall, and kick around while using a floaty dumbbell. He still refuses to jump in. Oh, and he can float on his back and have a rubber duckie on his forehead for at least 5 seconds.

It's like parenting in a microcosm. Carry them in, help them stay afloat. Teach them to close their eyes and their mouths, to keep water out. One day, you have to let them in the water by themselves, and sit in the bleachers on your hands trying to keep from leaping in, fully dressed in non-pool-friendly gear, and holding them to your chest so that they don't forget that you support them and will protect them from everything.

Oh, swimming lessons are hard on a Mommy.