at the pool

This is certainly shaping up to be the summer of the swimming pool.  We spend a lot of time in the water!  

Last week Matt was able to join us and I was eager for him to take Isaac into the deep water without his wings on... I knew he was ready to swim, but I'm not really set up to work with him on his skills while keeping an eye on the little two so I just hadn't gotten him really swimming. 

It didn't take long before he was jumping in and 'swimming' over to Matt, then back to the ladder for another jump.  A few more pool trips and yesterday he was really something!  Doing so well!  The big jump in skill came when he switched to using a mask and now doesn't need to worry about blowing out through his nose.  

He just needs to work on his treading water skills because there isn't always a nearby wall or person to grab on to when swimming!  

For years we didn't really live in a place where we spent consistent time in the water.  Now that we do our kids are becoming fish - and fast!  Julianna is working on freestyle and figured out she loves to swim with fins.

I once had 5 non-swimmers!  Now I'm [practically] down to 2!!!  And I really think John Paul could figure it out also - he is coordinated, brave, and strong.   We'll see... we probably have another month of pool-like weather, but the schedule is going to pick up a lot, and fast.  We're already talking about our home school start date, and Chinese school will start soon after, and Matt's pace will pick up dramatically when the semester starts.

We have a nice trip to Malaysia planned for winter, so maybe John Paul will graduate up to being a real swimmer there!

Better enjoy our pool trips in the meantime :)