My Hyper Fishies

The kids started swimming lessons this week at the local pool. I think it is great they are getting exposed to the water, learning about pool safety and even how to swim a bit on their own. BUT, the real reason I'm very appreciative for swimming lessons on Monday and Wednesday late afternoons is, it gives them something to do! A place where they can expend their energy, get their wiggles out, exercise their bodies! The afternoons in the late Fall and Winter drive me up the wall as a mother. We've usually already exhausted our options at home with toys, crafts, imaginative play, etc. For some reason by late afternoon the kids are BOUNCING off the walls, especially my boy. It is usually too cold, rainy and dark to go outside and play at that point. John doesn't get home until about 6:30 or so, and so that time from 3-6:30 really becomes the "bewitching hour" where my lovely kids turn into wild little monsters. So, all that to say, swimming lessons are gonna be great for all involved. My nephew Marco joined Gabi this year in their first class without their mommies. He was very nervous, but made it through the whole class. I think he'll get more used to it as time goes on. Gabi was most concerned about showing the teacher her pretty painted nails and pink swimsuit in the first class, but by the second class she was sticking her face in the water, and paying more attention to the tasks at hand. Also, Emilio spent all last year in the preschool 3 class. He learned a ton, but just developmentally wasn't mature enough to get his arms and legs working at the same time. Well BOY, what a difference a year makes, he's really getting it down now. Pretty exciting! You'll have to watch the little video a the end to see what I'm talking about, granted, it isn't beautiful swimming, and he doesn't get the side breathing thing yet, but he's swimming on his own.

My niece, Eloisa

Little Luci

Marco and Gabi waiting to jump in.

Emilio's swimming!!!