These last 2 weeks Payton, Scar and I spent every morning at the local pool. I had signed Payton up for swim lessons months ago with 2 of his friends. He was in the Starfish class. It's the first class that kids can be in without their parents. I wasn't quite sure how he would do.
Day 1: He was VERY nervous and clung to my leg, and refused to get in the train line with the class to walk over to the pool, but I walked him over and kind of forced him to sit down on the edge with everyone else. He was fine from that point on.
The first day the just had the kids getting used to the water.
(Payton is in the white shirt and his friend Austin is in the blue)
They taught the kids how to blow bubbles in the water
They played games that got them used to walking across the pool
(Alison, Payton and Austin)
The walked across the pool playing red light, green light
(Payton, Austin, and Mapuana are lagging in the back)
They taught them alligator kicks
(Payton is in the middle next to 2 girls)
Not quite sure what Mapuana, Austin and Payton are doing but they are very cute!
They taught them how to hop through the water while acting like bunnies.
( Payton near the far wall with his bunny fingers up)
While swim lessons were going on we all had to be behind the fence. Scarlett enjoyed watching Payton, but probably would have loved it more if she was in the water also. She was so cute cause she could see him and would point. A very proud sister!
More bunny fingers!
The last 5 minutes each day they would have different water toys they would throw in and the kids would have to go find them and pick them up without their feet. They called this a "Treasure Hunt". The kids of course all loved it.
After each lesson the kids would get out and find their towels. We would then go find them and bring them out.
Day 2: Payton did a better job. He was still a little nervous and wouldn't get in the train line, but he got in the water and listened to his teachers. They did the same stuff as the day before but also did some circle time and sang songs.
(Payton on the far side wearing a light blue shirt and Austin wearing a dark blue shirt)
Looking for the treasures
Day 3: They had them do a little more.
(Payton is against the wall in a black an gray shirt)
They held them on their tummies and had them blow bubbles in the water.
It was really fun cause they had a young woman from our ward as one of their teachers. Ashlyn did a good job giving our 3 kids a little extra attention!
Day 4: The last day of the 1st week.
We all ended up staying for free swim after swim lessons. This is Payton ready to swim with his goggles on. (he doesn't put his whole face under yet)
Day 5: 1st day of the second week. They had these little kids move to the big kid pool. They were all very nervous about this but the survived.
Ashlyn trying to get Payton to lay on his back and kick his legs
He really doesn't like laying on his back in the water. It scares him.
They had the kids try to swim from teacher to teacher and then back to the wall. Well some kids could do this, but I would say most could not get their hands and feet moving at the same time. The teachers did a lot of helping them. They even would let some go and see if they could, but mostly the kids would sink under the water and the other teacher would grab them. I think this picture is one of the times Payton got let go and sunk under the water a little before his other teacher got him.
They had the kids also climb out of the pool and then had them jump to their teacher in the water. This is Payton (gray/black) and Austin (blue) jumping into the water. They were both not willing to just jump.They wanted their teachers to hold their hands.
All the kids after swim lessons. Scarlett, Payton, Ryan, Austin behind Mo, and Mapuana. Mo was in the class before Payton, Austin and Mapuana, and Ryan was in the next class up cause he is older.
Day 6: Payton refused to get in the water! Very Frustrating Day
Day 7: Payton didn't get in the water right away, but eventually did and the only reason he did was cause he told his teacher he didn't want to go under the water and she told him he didn't have to. I guess by this point he was sick of being forced to go under the water.
Day 8: Last Day! All the kids ready to go!
Ryan, Austin, Mo, Mapuana, and Payton
Here they are again. They are not very good at all looking at the camera at the same time.
(Payton, Mapuana, Mo, Austin, and Ryan)
On the last day Payton actually got in the train line all by himself and didn't act very nervous
(Astin in the white shirt, Payton in the blue, and Mapuana in the watermelon suite)
They did take the kids to the big pool for a little bit and once again Payton told them not to let him go under. He did end up going under a little but survived of course! They let them then go back to the little pool and look for treasures!
Finding lots of treasures
After the swim lesson they had the whole class sit together and they gave each kid a certificate and a candy. All in all the swim lessons were a success. Payton learned to be way more comfortable in the water. We had a fun time seeing friends every day, but man am I glad they are over. My least favorite part was having to get dressed every day and leave the house. I quite enjoy my lazy days at home every so often. Oh well I have to get used to it, I guess thats the way my life is beginning to transition into. I am excited for Payton to keep growing and trying more and more new things in the water. He is a joy in our family! We love him and Scarlett so much! Josh and I are very blessed!
