I think we can call that 'Swimming'!

As mentioned last week, we have just started Lily back into swimming after her last term was a trauma-filled (for mother and child!) ten weeks of crying, whimpering and terror. Real terror. Last week we went along to try again, and she started off nervous and wary but miraculously ended up grinning and loving it. Such a relief. All this week she has been squealing about how excited she was to go to back to swimming. Who is this child!? What a difference a break can make, huh? Ah kids, so capricious I can barely keep up...

She eagerly skipped to class this week and jumped happily into the pool. She was cheery the whole time - I could see the fear and nervousness still in her eyes but she seemed newly determined and confident to do everything, even as her darling little legs shook in fear. So proud, relieved and slightly bewildered by this radical change! Although she had always done everything the teacher asked in class, and she was still scared (of drowning), now she had decided she wanted to learn, enjoy it and improve. Face the fear and do it anyway, as they say, huh?

After class Lily hopped into the 'junior pool' for a splash around with her brother. There was a swimming noodle she started using to swim along (which was already a pretty big step for her) then all of a sudden I saw her discard the noodle and start launching herself into the pool - head under water, arms flailing, legs kicking, without touching the bottom..... why yes, Virginia, I do believe we can call this swimming?!?!

Eli tests the waters

Starting off with a noodle and gaining confidence

I was so shocked, proud and amazed to see her go. I did not intrude, offer instruction or advice, except to call out a couple of encouragements. Baby girl was doing it for herself! I just snapped photos and marveled at her determination suddenly unfolding - her newly found confidence to utilise all these skills she was learning and actually swim - guess she  just decided, on only her second class back, that today was the day. And, she really was swimming. Over and over again, she launched into the pool. Diving in, powering those chubby legs and arms along and actually making some great lengths in the water. Don't get me wrong, she wasn't swimming laps around the pool in one go or anything, but she was swimming for five to ten seconds each time without touching the bottom. She even flipped over and swam on her back a few times, persevering even though she swallowed quite a few litres of delicious pool water!

My little swimmer all decked out in her swim gear and ready to launch!

Go, baby, go!

Fiercely churning the water! 

It was such a leap for her, to make strides in actually swimming. I felt so privileged to watch this moment unfold. She wasn't doing it for an audience but just in her own little world, determined to conquer this skill and overcome a very real fear. Just precious.

You go, my little fishie! 

Exploring her new underwater world

My baby girl making a splash!