The arrival of summer this year meant it was time for another round of swim lessons. I was really happy with Ashleigh, our swim instructor from last summer. She was “tough” but the girls learned a lot, and I felt like it was definitely worth the money. Last year’s lessons were really the reason that Brooklyn conquered her fear of going underwater and really got comfortable swimming. This year, we signed up for swim lessons with 3 other families from church, so Ashleigh was able to put us all in the same class. It was so fun for Brooklyn and Savannah to have a class full of their friends, and I enjoyed being able to chat with the other moms during the lessons too. This year, we were in session 2, and the lessons were during the first two weeks of June.
June 4th: Day #1
One, two, three…take a breath and swim!
I was better prepared for day 1 this year because I knew what to expect. Last year it was pretty traumatic for both the girls and me, and I left wondering how would we survive the rest of the lessons. This year went much better! Brooklyn didn’t cry at all and was excited to get in the water and swim. Savannah cried a little bit, but it wasn’t as bad as last year. I could tell that both girls remembered some of what they’d learned from last summer’s lessons.
Alisha and I tried to prepare Nicole and Caitlyn for what it would be like on the first day. Hopefully they weren’t hating us at the end of the lesson!
That afternoon, Nathan and Gabriel came over for a couple of hours. The kids had fun playing together…and then Brooklyn threw up in the middle of supper not too long after they left. She had been complaining of her tummy hurting for a little while before we ate, but I didn’t think too much of it. I think that was only the second time she’s ever thrown up. I was worried that we were going to pass around a stomach bug to everyone in the swim class, but thankfully everyone else was spared. We stayed home and missed lessons on day #2 just to be safe. Brooklyn never threw up after that one time, so I’m not sure what was going on.
That night we were planning to take the girls out for ice cream since they did such a great job at their first swim lesson, but after Brooklyn got sick, it ended up being a Daddy/Pookie date instead :)
While everyone else was swimming on day #2, we were having a PJ day at home! Thankfully, Brooklyn felt much better that day and we didn’t miss any more lessons.
June 6th: Day #3
I told the girls this morning that we needed to get their swimsuits on and get ready to go to Ms. Ashleigh’s. Savannah frowned and announced, “I think I’m ’bout to ‘fro’ up.” Haha! Nice try, Pooks ;) 
Each day, they started swimming a little further back from the steps. Brooklyn was up first!
Then, it was Savannah’s turn. She did great! No tears at all!
Here’s a picture of all of the kids (except Mason, who was in the pool). It was Brooklyn and Savannah and a bunch of boys :)
Alisha was a super mom during swim lessons—keeping Luke and Barrett entertained and watching Carter swim all at the same time!
The kids got a lot of jumping practice in on day #3…
They jumped from the side of the pool and off the diving board!
Abigail enjoyed sitting with Nicole during several of the lessons. She was in a phase at the time where she always wanted to look back to see who was holding her. She didn’t cry…she was just being curious I guess :)
The girls both did great overall on day #3. No tears today at all! Savannah was so proud of herself and told me, “I was BRAVE!”. That afternoon, Brooklyn was telling me about how when she was floating, Ms. Ashleigh let go of her, and “I flute all by myself!” I said, “You flute?” She replied, “Yes, that’s the Spanish word for ‘float’!” :)
June 7th: Day #4
Sometimes Savannah would just hold her feet up in the air and let Ms. Ashleigh glide her along…haha
Brooklyn worked on her kicks while holding onto the board…
Time to jump and swim!
Check out all these great jumping pictures :) Savannah was jumping off the side of the pool without holding Ms. Ashleigh’s hand! It was amazing how far she’d come in just a few days.
I’ve decided that sticking out your tongue when you concentrate must be genetic. She came by it honestly (right, Daddy?)!
High five for a job well done! :)
Brooklyn jumped off the diving board and swam to Ms. Ashleigh in the middle of the pool!
This was Savannah’s best day of floating so far (normally she kicks her legs and squirms the whole time instead of relaxing).
Brooklyn got her turn to float before we wrapped up day #4!
June 8th: Day #5
On Friday (Day #5), we had a special visitor at swim lessons – Daddy!
They always started out the lessons by swimming to the steps :)
Cheese! Brooklyn was ready for pictures even while she was working on her kicks ;)
Brooklyn definitely didn’t hold back when it was her turn to jump in! She also floated without help at the end of the lesson.
Savannah jumped off the diving board without holding Ashleigh’s hand! This was the same girl who refused to even GET in the pool a few weeks prior when we were at the beach. Crazy!
I had to leave Friday’s swim lesson a few minutes before it was over to take Abigail to her 9 month checkup. After the appointment, we met back up with everyone at Creekwood Park for lunch and a little playtime.
Savannah’s face gets so red when it’s hot outside…I think she definitely got that from me.
The kids had fun playing together outside!
Afterward, most of us headed to 32 Degrees for some frozen yogurt before heading home.
It was a fun way to cap off the first week of swim lessons—we were halfway done at this point!
June 11th: Day #6
First day back after the weekend! For whatever reason, having a two-day break from lessons was not good for Savannah. This was definitely a regression day for her. She cried and screamed when she got water in her mouth. She also kept trying to stand up during fall-in practice instead of swimming to the steps. Abigail also cried through a good bit of the lesson. Not one of our best days…
Ashleigh was comfortable with Brooklyn swimming to the steps without too much help at this point!
There goes Savannah!
Even though it was a regression day for Savannah, Ashleigh still required her to participate. I’m not sure what was going on with her, but thankfully it didn’t last the whole week. Maybe it was just a case of the “Mondays”? :)
Fall-in practice was basically supposed to simulate what it was like to accidentally fall in off the steps into the water. They were supposed to turn and swim back to the steps by themselves.
June 12th: Day #7
Brooklyn was dressed up and ready for day #7! :)
This was a much better day for Pookie!
Ashleigh had the kids hold onto the steps and practice their kicks. First up: Miles, Savannah, and Mason!
Then, it was time for Gabriel, Brooklyn and Carter to take a turn!
Lots of jumping practice today again…
Carter was so brave! I loved this picture of him…he had no fear this year!
Little cuties :)
This was the first day of fall-in practice from the side of the pool. Savannah had a bit of trouble getting back to the wall, but once she got there, she was able to pull herself up on the side of the pool and get herself all the way out!
Brooklyn had a great day! She still needs some practice with her kicks, but she isn’t afraid and was doing well overall. At this point, she was starting to use her arms when swimming and could float by herself.
No tears from Savannah today – yay!
June 13th: Day #8
Today, Brooklyn learned how to “torpedo” by putting her arms above her head, pushing off the wall with one foot, and gliding through the water before starting to swim :)
It’s still a work in progress, but it was neat for her to try something new!
Both girls did well today!
During fall-in practice, Ms. Ashleigh taught the kids to walk their hands to the ladder or the steps if they were too tired to pull themselves up out of the pool…
There you go, Pookie!
Abigail enjoyed sitting with Nicole for part of the lesson :)
June 14th: Day #9
Swim, Savannah, swim!
Check out Brooklyn using her arms!
We love Ms. Ashleigh :)
Nathan and Gabriel missed this day (I think Gabriel was sick?), so it was a smaller group…
Both girls had a good day!
June 15th: Day #10
The last official day of swim lessons was an exciting one because Paw and Rae Rae came to watch! Several other grandparents came too, and I think the kids all enjoyed having them there. They definitely had a loud cheering section! :)
Brave girl! 
Brooklyn had perfected the pencil dive by the last day :)
Floating was a relaxing way to end the lesson!
June 16th: Day #11 (Makeup Day)
Since we missed the second day of swim lessons when Brooklyn was sick, Ashleigh let us come Saturday morning for a makeup session. Gotta get our money’s worth, right? :) It was just Brooklyn, Savannah, Carter, and a little girl from another class. They got lots of turns in because there were only 4 of them!
It was so neat to have a class full of friends for swim lessons this year! I hope these pictures make it into their high school graduation slideshow one day :)
Hooray…we all survived the Swim Lady!
One reply on “2018 Swim Lessons”
Rae Rae was amazed at how much progress they made this summer!!