Swimming Lessons

For their Christmas gift this year, Uncle Jake gave the kids swimming lessons this summer.  We had so much going on all summer, that the only session we could fit in was for the last couple of weeks of July.  The lessons were at the West Valley Family Fitness Center.  All three kids were very excited!  Jonah and Lilly took swimming lessons last summer at the pool in Magna.  Jonah had completed the first two levels and Lilly had only taken the first level.  She didn't pass because she just couldn't bring herself to put her whole head under the water.  
Jonah is a fish!  He loves swimming and picked up on everything really quickly.  He loves to dive for rings or sticks and really likes jumping off the side into the pool. 
Lilly had a few issues.  Luckily, she had a really patient teacher who constantly reassured her that he wasn't going to let her fall under the water.  This reassurance only rarely convinced her to release her vice-like grip on him, but a few times she did actually do a back float without digging her fingernails into his shoulders.  Poor guy. Needless to say, she still didn't pass level one.  She loves to play in the water, but can't seem to conquer her fear of putting her face in the water. 
Jayne only got to do one week of the session because she ended up at the hospital after the first day.  After she came back, she just jumped right in with the others in her class.  Jayne has no fear of the water and loved every minute of her lessons.

Lilly after her lesson.  Notice how the bottom of her hair is wet, but not the top?  =)

Jayne is in the middle listening intently to her teacher.

Now that we live in a townhouse with a pool, we've been swimming more times in the last week than we did all summer.  The kids are having a great time practicing the things they learned in their lessons.  Well, except Lilly.  She's having a great time in the pool, as long as her head stays dry.  Silly girl. 
Thanks for the great Christmas gift Uncle Jake!  It was such a fun addition to our summer!