SHEsaysWITHaSMILE.blogspot.com

with a pool in our backyard, two young children and one close call, swimming lessons were at the tip top of my list of things to do

and i remember, my first time, waiting in line for nearly TWO hours! to register my daughter.

- this a rare ability for me, considering i grow ancy in the express lane at raley's

and circumstances being what they were, my children waited in line for those two hours too.. how those other parents got their kids to stand by their sides that long is beyond me

- and why? goes further than that

i let mine run around, splash in the big puddles in the parking lot; get soaking wet. they had so much fun they begged me to stay when it was finally time to go

"you gonna let your kids get in the car all wet like that?" a man asked

"did my husband hire you?" i said with a smile.

i admit to causing a bit of a stir.. other parents throwing me thanks-a-lot looks, as their young ones tugged on their pants legs, "but their mom's letting them splash in the puddles, why can't we?"

one or two moms giving in as the wait grew longer, their kids grew louder and genuinely thanking me for taking the lead, "it's only water afterall"

the actual lessons would start several weeks later, and i was very glad to learn we'd made it in.

10:20am-ish, we show up for 10:30 lessons and by the time the first whistle blew i understood what made swim america so popular and respected. it was clear from the get go, this organization was professional, experienced and stellar in every aspect of its responsibilty; delivering on every promise.

each child was made to feel welcome and comfortable. never more than 3 children to each highly trained and encouraging coach. lessons started right on time and ended right on time with specific ~realistic~ age & level appropriate goals set and achieved for each and every session.

my daughter thrived in this program. i believe she was signed up for 3 out of the 4 sessions, and every new coach was just as well trained and compassionate and encouraging as the last.

i watched from the sidelines, heart in stomach and camera in hand, as my daughter struggled to learn to hold her breath and put her head under the water, blow bubbles and bob. watched her learn to float, use her big arms, and ... kick... , ...kick..., and then kick at the same time she used her big arms.. all the while the kind coach holding her, helping her, saying "awesome job!" and giving high fives for every incremental victory

and i remember the first time my daughter let go of the wall and freestyle swam

-independently- 3 big arms worth to the swim coach; then 4 big arms worth, then 5...

breathing so heavy and smiling so big when she reached her goal

until one day she swam freestyle from the wall aaallllll the waaaaaay to the blue n' white buoy finish line. graduating soon after into the big lane.

and having witnessed her progress, and what wonders swim america was accomplishing for hundreds of kids in the tri valley, i did not mind waiting in line at all once my son reached the age he could join too.

and in fact, the wait is shorter each year you register, as they give priority status to returning families by offering pre-registration dates based on what year you first joined.

my son would grant swim america a chance to shine even brighter, as he did not take to water, or lessons, or new coaches with the joy and ease my daughter did.

he cried. ( i cried ). he did not want to go in. did not want me to leave.

i stayed poolside, near him, wanting to comfort.. while the coaches explained he'd be better off if i left; if i sat with the other parents in the portable bleachers

i reluctantly agreed. focused on my daughter in her lane.. watched her zig zag her way from the wall to the buoys in early attempts at learning the back stroke

i prayed. resisted eye contact with my son, noting it had quieted.. no screams or pleas for me..

"and how awesome, wonderful is this?!?" i said out loud to other parents, "that you can have two children, different ages and different skill levels in the pool and taking lessons at the same time?!?"

this, one of the things i was most grateful for. in almost every other sport or activity, you are forced to drive two places at two different times to meet two different needs, but with swim america, you can choose ONE time slot, for ALL children. they have the pool filled with lanes and coaches for every skill level at the same time.

i snuck a glance and accidentally made eye contact with my son.

he threw me a thumbs up with a smile and i melted on the spot. ~thank you Jesus~ ~thank you Swim America!~

the classes went by so fast it seemed.. whistle, hop in. his turn. her turn, your turn. whistle, hop out, safety drill.. drive home. graduation & ribbons and recognition every two weeks.

"how long would you say you cried today jack?" i asked

"five minutes," he shrugged

"that is an excellent recovery time! remember that.. you recovered in under 5 mintues! ..maybe tomorrow it will be 3 minutes.. and by thursday, 1" i tried.

and that's just about exactly how it worked out. by thursday, jack would report, "i didn't cry at all, mommy." and before we both knew it, he was bobbing, blowing bubbles, floating and learning big arms just like his sister had

not with the same enthusiasm or speed; but he nonetheless thrived all the way to level 7. he is a competent swimmer, comfortable with all four basic strokes, knowledgable about safety and thrilled to play in the pool at home or on playdates

taryn graduated to level 8 and joined the year round competitive sea hawks swim team with her friend katie for a while.

and i confess here to pushing too hard.. mommy mistake #7139...

over-encouraging her into the pool against her will on freezing cold october nights after long days of school and homework

fortunately i saw the error of my ways and set her free;

in time.

just in time for the fun stuff.. the water-slides and high dives at the aquatic center in the summer time. the pool sides at home, at friends, at hotels when traveling; the boat rides with her daddy

they both love the water now.

they both can swim.

and i can rest and watch and enjoy them with a less worried, anxious heart thanks to six summers and 18+ sessions with swim america.

THANK YOU! each and every coach along the way

-this post inspired after receiving swim america sign-up information in the mail and realizing 2008 is our first year not registering. -great memories- saving and lasting our lifetimes