Beating the heat

It is so hot! The temp today was 113. We have been going to the splash pad or the pool often to keep from sweltering.



One week down...One more to go.

Well, today was the end of the first week of swimming lessons for the girls. I will say that it has gotten better but the tears are still there. They both cry at the beginning and Quinn will even hang on to me for dear life. Today they both stopped crying once they got started.

Claire convinced me to get her goggles by the 4th day. I hesitated getting them but she assured me, as much as a cute 3 year old can, that it would help her put her face in the water. After talking to her teacher on Wednesday and him saying it was ok we went out to find them so they could have them the next morning. Both girls did wonderful with them and they love them. Plus they are so cute with them on.  

Wednesday they had all the kiddos walk to the edge of the diving board and wave to mama's and daddy's. I was a mess thinking they were going off but they didn't...until yesterday!! I am assuming they are helping the kids to not be afraid. This mommy was afraid but both girls went off without any tears, until they came out of the water. They were dropped in by a teacher or mommy volunteer. Claire had the option of jumping off by herself but opted to have someone help her. I think they will be practicing on them jumping off themselves next week.

The girls also had VBS this week and have been learning about how God is always with us and that we do not need to be afraid. I tried to apply that to swimming lessons and we also pray together before each lesson. If anything the praying has helped calm me and the girls really are doing better. I just wish it was like the first day when they were all smiles and giggling...before they were dunked.

It has been fun watching them learn and follow direction. They really are doing a good job and talk about what they learn with a sense of accomplishment and as if they enjoy it. Hopefully by the end of next week they will be two little swimming fishies.

So cute with their goggles.

Waving before going off diving board.

Cold...after diving board jump. Awww, poor baby!

Swimming Lessons

Yesterday the girls had their first day of swimming lessons. I am not going to lie I was full of anxiety. I did not want them to be scared or afraid and me to not be able to help them. I know it is necessary that they learn how to swim no matter how scared they or myself are so I signed them up at ORU.  I love to swim, when the water is warm...bath water warm, and I want them to love it to.

The girls were super excited to go especially since their friends Kaitlyn, Mathew, Alex, and Jaycen would be there too. I gave them the pep talk to make sure they listened to their teacher and that they just have fun.

They had us put them in groups by age but Quinn got moved up into the 3 year old class with Claire. I tell them how special it is to be in the same class and that they can have fun together. The first day the girls did awesome. Not many tears at all and mainly smiles. Claire cried because she got water up her nose and it hurt. They did everything the teachers asked and I was so proud. The Lord knows how my anxiety was and that I am an over emotional person and he knew I needed a good first day.

Today was a different story. Claire woke up and told me she was not going to swimming lessons. She said she didn't want water up her nose again and that she didn't want to be cold. (I totally feel bad for her and understand where she is coming from...I hate to be cold. Like I said I like to swim in bath water temperatures.) Once we got there and she saw her friends she was okay with being there. Sigh of relief for me. Once it was time to start Claire was fine but Quinn was crying. She did not stop crying the entire time. Today was dunking day. The first thing the teachers did was pour water over their heads and then they dunked them under. Claire came back up crying and continued to cry and yell mommy over and over until the lesson was over. They would do what the teachers asked all while crying. Those teachers are saints! I don't know how they do it. Claire tried to get away from the teacher and escape from doing what he wanted but he stood his ground and made her do it. Good for him! Saints I tell you, they really are. It was nice to see that my kids were not the only criers. It made me feel a lot better. Us mommies (Desiree, Allison, and myself) were all in hiding mode hoping our kids wouldn't spot us and cry louder. It broke my heart to watch Claire looking for me and crying but I knew if she saw me it would only make it worse. After it was all over Quinn seemed proud of the fact she got her head under the water. Claire was not too talkative about it. I made it through without crying. I know the girls can do it and I know the girls will have fun, eventually!  I am in fear for what tomorrow morning will bring. Praying for a better day tomorrow and that hopefully by the end of this two weeks they will like it.

Here are pictures from the first day.

Swimming Lessons

This is Claire's teacher, Price.

Quinn's teacher, Kelly.

I love this picture. I was actually looking at Quinn through the lens and didn't realize I caught Claire in the picture too. She had just got water up her nose and was upset.

All smiles the first day!

Look at all those sad faces. They promise us that it will get better. I sure hope so for every mother's sake.