Fish!

By the end of the summer, Will was progressing so rapidly in his swimming that we hated to have to stop just because the water was too cold! An opportunity arose for him to participate in a group lesson (technically there is supposed to be 3-4 kids but so far, there has only been 2 kids & 2 teachers- practically a private lesson!). He's the youngest in his class but we felt that the mommy & me classes we had previously done were not enough for him... & I wanted some serious safety training for Mr. Fearless Around Water (& everywhere else). As long as he enjoys swimming, we want to make it available to him - it is such a great total body workout and a life long sport.

We started this week & Will took like a fish to the water. He LOVES it! In just 2 lessons this week, he is floating on his back (with very little assistance), working on the back stroke, & now diving to the bottom of the pool & picking up multiple toys while down there. Seriously, I don't know how I managed to get any pictures of him above water... he pretty much has his head under the entire time - even when waiting his turn, he sits on the bench with his head under! The kid loves to swim!

Silly boy!
Underwater with his teacher!
(This new pool we're going to for swim class has windows into the pool so I can get fun underwater pictures without going underwater (or ruining my camera!)

Love this expression!

Learning the backstroke:

This new pool has bars all the way around so it's much easier for Will to hold on for safety!

Just before turning 2, Will taught himself how to dive to the bottom step & retrieve a toy (especially impressive to me due to the fact that he must use both hands to grasp an object!) In swimming class this week, he began to dive to the bottom of the pool & pick up 2 toys at a time! His teacher (who qualified for the Olympics in the 1980's but had to give up competing due to an injury) told me she is amazed at his lung capacity - he just stays under forever & smiles the whole time!