Elodie's first swim lessons

We decided to put Elodie in swim lessons this year.
We have a pool in our community so we spend a lot of time there.
With baby girl #2 on the way we wanted to feel safe with Elodie in the water.
We asked around on local mommy groups and decided to take lessons with Autumn Lynn.
Her classes are 45 minutes, three times a week for two weeks.
She said Elodie would be swimming by the end of two weeks.
She has a salt water pool and a no-nonsense reputation.
My friend Melissa and I decided to sign our kids up.

The first day Elodie was so excited to get in the water.
The kids can get in the water 15 minutes before class and play.
There were about 15 kids, 15 parents, Autumn Lynn, and a few of her helpers in the water.

We started off easy practicing paddling arms.
Then the craziness ensued.
We had to push their head under the water and push them toward the edge.
I gave lots of encouragement trying to get her to paddle her arms.
There were lots of tears and and pleas to get out of the pool.
We persevered!
Second they had us push them under the water to the edge and have them turn around.
The third thing we worked on was dunking them in the water facing away from us and have them turn around under water towards us.
Fourth thing we worked on was kicking their legs with their heads on our shoulder.
Fifth thing we worked on was arms again.
Sixth thing we worked on was pushing them under the water towards the edge and having them get out of the pool.
Lastly, they head to the diving board.
They jump (or get dropped off) the diving board, go under the water and swim to the instructor.

Elodie cried almost the entire first day.
She didn't resist or try to get out of the pool.
She had her eyes open wide and looked so scared but kept trying.
It was definitely a challenge to keep the praise and encouragement going.
It was definitely hard to keep "forcing" her under the water.
She did calm down and stop crying towards the end.
She liked the diving board.
It was complete crazy town with all of the crying children in the water.
I gave her lots of hugs, kisses, and praises.
She was very excited to get to her towel afterwards.

The calm before the storm

First day complete

The second day I debated even telling Elodie where we were headed for the day.

When I told her she didn't seem scared or uninterested in going.

When we got there she was super excited again. 

She headed to the pool and said "Come on mom let's go practice".

She put her head right under the water by herself and swam to the stairs.

Then she would go under and swim back to me.

I was shocked. 

She wasn't using her arms very much yet but kicking her legs like a fish.

There were no tears during this class. 

She was so proud of herself the whole class.

I wasn't expecting to see her swimming under the water like that on day two.

Excited for Day 2 of lessons

The third day of lessons went even better.
She was once again super excited to get in the pool and practice.
She did so well on the third day Autumn Lynn moved her into the older class for the next week.

Week one complete! 

Week two of swimming lessons and Elodie was in the pool without me.

They focused a lot more on using their arms.

She did great!

4th Swim lesson

Diving board time

Diving on the edge of the pool

The last two days of lessons she started to use her arms more and more. 

She remained comfortable in the pool. 

I was so proud of how quick she picked it up.

She was the youngest one in her class.

I definitely think the key is getting them comfortable with their heads under water.

They learn super fast how to hold their breath.

Day 5 

On the last day of class they all get a freeze pop.

Now when we go to the pool, Elodie just wants to swim from me to the edge and back. 

She swims in the bathtub. 

She asks to go to the pool everyday.

Best investment ever!

Last day of swim lessons