Ian's Swimming Lesson

Today was Ian's first swimming lesson! It took several months on a waiting list to get into a Sunday AM class timeslot at our club. With 5 swimming pools and 12 Toddler 1 classes offered per week, you would think it would be easy...But no. If I were a stay at home mom, I would have my pick of weekday classes, but for a Saturday or Sunday AM slot? Sorry Charlie. Only one per day for the Toddler beginners. I called at 8am on the first day of the "open enrollment" for this session and got one of the last 3 spots. Who says healthcare and technology are where the money is...I think I now know the most lucrative industry: Kiddie Swim Lessons. We did the quick math and determined that for all the various classes, time slots, and age groups, our club brings in about a million dollars a month...Just for lessons. That doesn't even count the competitive classes that they do at the off site facility for conditioning athletes. I think I got in the wrong business.

Ian was super calm in the locker room getting ready. He tolerated the swim diaper and his bathing trunks with ease, though I could sense the "where are we" apprehension. I was praying it wouldn't be a reprise of the IKEA incident a couple of months ago. Shawn met us at the entrance of the aquatic center and Ian was immediately curious of the throngs of kids splashing and shrieking in one of the multi-purpose pools. It was definitely interesting to him. While we waited the 15 minutes for his lesson to start, Shawn sat with him at the edge of the water to get a feel for it. He did great. No fear and no tears. They slowly moved down a couple of steps until he was up to his belly in the water. Still no drama.

I, on the otherhand, have not been feeling well (yet again), and after not eating breakfast, was having a hard time dealing with the humidity factor, and had to sit outside for fear that my son's first swim lesson would be ruined by a blackout incident. I got over it somehow and was able to sit at the side and take some pictures.

Once the lesson started, things changed a little bit. For the first 10 minutes or so, everything was fine and he seemed to really enjoy it. Singing, games...all the while getting used to the water. There was a little girl next to him that screamed her head off the entire time, which changed his mood a bit. Shawn accidentally dunked his head once and he cried, then took cues from the little girl, probably assuming he was supposed to be crying. Although he got over it a little, he was still on the verge of tears for the last half of the class.

This is such a treat for Shawn. An avid lap swimmer and SCUBA diver, he is thrilled at the prospect of having a son with his aquatic aspirations. I'm fairly convinced that Shawn is the reincarnation of The Incredible Mr. Limpet, so for those who know who that is, you can understand why he's so thrilled to have a Son of Limpet in the house.

He did great though. Really great. I would be lying if I said I didn't get choked up a bit over seeing him do so well on his first venture into the swimming pool. Everyone who said he would be wiped out afterward was right on the money. It was only 30 minutes, but it must be as mentally challenging as it is physical. He fell asleep in the car on the way to lunch, then ate a bagel & cream cheese at Panera before coming homing how to crash for his nap. He's been asleep for over 2 1/2 hours now. It this is how it goes every week, I'll be able to get a ton done on Sunday afternoons.

Michael Phelps move over... Someone might just be breaking your swimming records in the Summer Games of 2024!

Hangin out in the locker room (I caught him looking at a lady's naked butt)

Kind of like a bathtub, but bigger

Still not sure what's going on, but being a good sport about it.

It only took a few seconds for him to trust that dad would keep him from going under...

...Until dad let him go under

Walking the plank. He wasn't sure at first, but did great.

Waiting in line to walk on the floatie. The girl next to him screamed the entire half hour.

Honest...We don't torture our kid to get pictures this cute. They just happen.

Ian's first swim lesson comes to a close. His proud partner at his side.