Riley took 2 weeks of swim lessons with her friends Bjorn, Saben & Annika the first part of July. We lucked out and happened to sign up for the 2 warmest weeks so far. It was so nice to lounge in the hot sun while Riley got to play in the water.
Lessons were a huge success this year. Riley has always loved the water and did great in her lessons last summer, but she has been extremely sensitive to water in her ears & on her face. It got to the point where we would only bath her 1x/week and wash her hair maybe 2x/month because she would scream and cry absolute bloody murder. It was never worth the battle for me. For about the first week of lessons every time the instructor would ask her to get her ear wet or blow bubbles she would refuse. They never pushed it and I didn't really care. It wasn't until her friend Annika attacked her from behind in the baby pool (where they played after the lesson) and got her head wet that she finally accepted the whole water on your face thing. We all watched as her eyes grew wide and her face had that look of "I'm about to completely freak out right now" so all of us on the sidelines cheered and clapped and exclaimed how awesome it was and that was that. From that moment on she happily put her face in the water and the next day at her lesson she was beaming with pride when she got her face wet for her instructor. She also is thrilled to have her hair washed now and is still so proud of herself that she can do it. Phew, that was a huge hurdle that we just crossed! So I guess I should be saying a huge thank you to Annika!!! We owe you.
This is a game Riley & Annika would play in the baby pool: climb out of the pool, watch the water drip from your bottom, shriek with laughter then jump back in the pool. Repeat 100 times.
Another game that was fun: tell your mom you are done swimming, have her take off your top, then before your mom can catch you jump back into the pool and run circles all the while squealing with delight.
Bjorn & Annika jumping, Riley smiling
Riley, Saben & Annika
Riley jumped off the diving board twice by herself!
We are signed up for one more week of swim lessons in mid-August. Should provide plenty of entertainment!
3 comments:
i don't know why i can't find lessons like this in portland! ones where i don't have to get in with wes... rather just watch from the sidelines! love the pics!
love all these photos from riley's swim lessons! that first one is absolutely hilarious.
You got some great shots! Looking forward to doing it again....
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