My Littlest Mermaid

Lola has recently graduated from the "Mummy & Me" swimming class to the "Big Girl" swimming class. The thought of her taking swimming lessons without me in the pool was a little daunting at first but I knew she was ready for it, her teacher knew she was ready for it, and she knew herself that she was ready for it. In fact, once she discovered that she could float on her back unsupported (if only for a few brief seconds) she told her teacher "I can float on my back. I don't need swimming lessons anymore"!

We had a little break from swimming over Christmas and New Year and a few weeks ago we got back into it with the start of Lola's new lessons.

Lesson 1 wasn't that successful. Lola sat on the steps, water up to her shoulders, crying for half the class. Towards the end of the class she had calmed down and I could tell that she wanted to join in but she was lacking the confidence.

Lesson 2 there was a miraculous turn around. She didn't cry once and she did absolutely everything her teacher asked. Success! She still sat on the steps for most of the class but seeing as she can't yet reach the bottom of the pool with her head above water she'll be sitting there for a while!

Today was Lesson 3. Once again Lola enjoyed her swimming lesson, didn't cry at all (well, not until she hit her head on the hand rail getting out at the end) and did everything her teacher asked. She has so much more confidence than she did only two weeks ago and is really excited about her swimming lessons now.

I took my camera along to Lola's lesson today so I thought I'd share some photos. I must point out that most of the photos were taken from the hallway outside the pool room and the windows aren't the clearest. So apologies for a little blurriness ;)

Ready for the class to start

Practising back floats

Swimming with a pool noodle after jumping onto it from the steps

More back floats - with a pool noodle this time

Fun games at the end.
Lola is much younger than the others in her class and can't touch the bottom so she needs a little extra help with this!

Seeing as Lola did such a good job she was treated to one of her favourite things after class - a cake pop from Starbucks! And a "cow milk", of course :)

A special treat for my little mermaid

Taking a big bite

Almost done with the cake pop

Making sure she gets every last bite!

Lola takes lessons at our local YMCA (Downtown Berkeley). Her class is called Pikes and is aimed at 3 to 5 year olds with no swimming experience. On occasion they also allow younger children who have outgrown the "Mummy & Me" style class, as in Lola's case. Ava also takes swimming lessons at the YMCA, two days per week. Her class is called Minnows and is aimed at more advanced swimmers aged 6 to 11 years old. You can find information about swimming lessons at our local YMCA here.