Our Little Fish

This summer, Hannah was old enough to start taking swimming lessons at our wonderful community swimming pool (which we spent many days at this summer!).  One of the reasons why I loved doing lessons here is because our pool has a zero entry-3 ft. swimming pool so the lessons were done at Hannah's level.  She had so much fun!  Her confidence grew all summer with days at the pool and during swimming lessons.  Another thing that made lessons extra fun was that three of Hannah's friends did it with her.  Jackson, Cash, Emma and Hannah had so much fun!  Here are the two girls being cheesy before lessons one day.

At the beginning of every lesson, the kids would sit on the side of the pool and practice kicking and blowing bubbles.  Hannah had fun doing both.

Then, they would work on kicking both on their bellies and backs with a kick board.  They would also use a noodle to work on kicking while swimming with their "monkey arms."

Next, they would go to the side and practice jumping to their teacher.  This was one area where I saw so much growth in Hannah.  In the beginning of the summer, she wouldn't jump to anyone unless she was holding their hand.  Throughout the lessons, she got braver and braver and started jumping pretty far to her teacher. 

They also would go to the step area and practice going under water for a wrench.  Hannah didn't quite conquer that all the way, but did get better with every lesson.  At the end of each day, the kids would get to play in the pool - most days, Hannah said that was her favorite! 

I don't have a picture, but I also have to say that Hannah conquered another huge fear in the water.  All summer, she would go to an area she couldn't touch with her Puddle Jumper on because she didn't think it would hold her up.  On one of the last days at the pool, I look across the water and she comes swimming toward me in the deep end!  I was so proud of her for getting out of her comfort zone and accomplishing this feat.  I can't wait for next summer to see how much she improves in her swimming!