Bust Our Buttons

Ryan and I could just bust our buttons over the boys' swimming progress. They ended their third session of lessons on Friday, and Jared's teacher handed me his report card early. Then she asked me if we'd ever considered putting him on swim team!

Of course, we did consider it last Spring. He tried out one cold rainy morning, but he'd only gotten in the water once or twice in months, and he didn't remember all his strokes. But next year, we'll be prepared!

The report card also recommended that he move up to Level 4!

In addition, Jared got to jump off the diving board without a noodle or teacher to catch him. He just swam to the side all on his own.

Jared swimming alone in 12 ft water after jumping off the diving board.

Then he dove off the starting block. He dives better than I do (I never really learned, despite Ryan's efforts.) I can't believe how grown up he is.



And wow, Zach has made mucho progresso in the past month. That's when I decided I was tired of paying for "playtime on the steps" and he needed to be pushed. Even though his teacher recommended he repeat Level 1 (only because he wouldn't put his face in the water), I put him in Lower Level 2. His first Level 2 teacher deserves a medal, because Zach was a pain. He wouldn't put his head in the water and he freaked out a lot. But by the end of that session, he was doing better.

Apparently, Zach kissed the little girl next to him in this picture.
But only on the shoulder. This was reported by her mom, who thinks he's adorable.

Then last session (the one that ended Friday), he kept getting in trouble for not keeping his head above water!!! He suddenly decided it wasn't scary, and has flown through all his exercises.
He gets sat out on the side for disobeying his teacher (usually for going swimming and going underwater on his own). That's especially scary because of his chance of having seizure. But he's having so much fun, it's hard to get too mad at him.

And Friday, Jared discovered that he can shimmy up the pole that holds up the parent's shade. I'm sure it's against the rules, but it was just too cool not to take a picture!