Two Little Fishies (in Training)

I had been talking with the girls in big, general terms about taking swimming lessons.  They were excited about kicking their legs and swimming like a duck / dolphin / frog (or whatever the aquatic animal du jour was).

Yesterday afternoon, when the girls got up from nap, I told them I had a BIG surprise for them.  They get SO excited at the idea of a surprise...their faces just light up...and they started guessing.  They guessed the park and the orchard, but I told them the surprise was even bigger.

When I told them they were going to take a swimming lesson, they started running and jumping and squealing.  Then, after a small snack, they put on their new swimsuits.  They were bouncing up and down and everywhere, so very ready to go.

I had told the girls that they would have a teacher in the pool with them, that Mommy wouldn't be in the pool, but Daddy and I would be right there to watch them.  "And take pictures, right, Mommy?" B affirmed.

The girls even asked if I had my camera as we were leaving.  [Is this a sign I'm creating little monsters???]

The girls were very agreeable to taking a picture as we approached the pool...

...and here's A, checking to make sure I'm coming.

We got there a couple of minutes early, in time to watch the end of the previous lesson.  Luckily those kiddos were having a very grand time, which made the girls laugh. The coach was great about introducing them to the water.  The girls were quiet, but they didn't remotely come close to crying or fussing.

Baby A got her turn in the pool first.  She's not the "people pleaser" that her sister is, though.  If she doesn't know you, she's very likely to just look blankly at you.  That's the face she had during most of the lesson.

B was all giggles when it was her turn.  She quickly learned to blow bubbles in the water, and she radiated pure joy when the coach pulled her half the length of the pool a couple of times while she kicked her legs. 

She was so proud of herself!

Baby A was a little more tentative.  A couple of times, I heard B tell her, "Don't be scared, Sissy.  It's OK."

It's always so interesting to watch the girls together, particularly in new situations.  It's not always easy for me to guess how each will react.  Our usual daredevil Baby A was soaking it all in, while B seemed to relax much more easily.

We did see a few glimpses of Baby A's excitement, though.  She enjoyed kicking, too...you can almost see a grin in this picture.

After the lesson, both girls told the coach "thank you", and then -- if I had any doubt about what they thought of their first time in the pool -- Baby A said, "Take a picture, Mommy!"

I was so thankful -- and so proud! -- to know that both girls enjoyed themselves and were proud of what they accomplished, too.

And on the way to the car, Baby A underscored it by volunteering, "I had fun, Mommy!"  B quickly agreed.

This was a really big milestone for us.  This was more than the girls' first swim lesson...it was their first extracurricular activity...and the first activity during which I wasn't holding their hands.

I'd say we all did just fine.