Last Year - This Year

At the cottage, we have a few rules. Rule #1 is: no one is allowed in the water unless there is an adult there. It's a common sense rule that's been enforced since my mother was a child.

When we went to the cottage this past week, the first thing Aaron said was "There is no going in the water without you, memere or pepere there" I congratulated him on remembering. And I also knew that that comment really meant "I would really like to go swimming"

Adam, not to be outdone, said "And there's no picking your nose in public" Since I would have to agree with that - I congratulated him also. Then I asked him if he needed a tissue. He declined.

They were aching to get into the water but they were patient while I unpacked. I could sense their excitement and hurriedly put away the food before announcing that "it was time". Their smiles were a mile wide!

So we put on our swim suits - and yes, I got myself a swim suit - and we went down to the lake. It was a hot day and I was really looking forward to jumping in.

I was amazed at the change in the boys where the lake was concerned between this year and last.

Last Year

Adam was happy enough just waded about until he was waist deep - that's it, that's all. He wasn't interested in paddling out. He just wanted to wade. I was ok with that - I'm not one of those "throw them in and make them swim" people

Aaron, on the other hand, wouldn't go into the water unless I was holding him either like I was cradling a child, or upright and gripping my neck. It didn't bother me but I was hoping that one day he would enjoy the water.

This Year

Adam is swimming with those arm water wings. I had broken down swimming into three steps (like on Agent Oso) because Adam works better that way. Step one: kick your feet. He accomplished by using his boogie board. Step two: using your arms. He got there by using a small inflated ring around his belly. Step three: do step one and two at the same time. He's doing it with the water wings and the ring. It took a span of a day to get through those three steps. Now he's a swimming "expert".

Aaron - the child who didn't want to get wet, the one who floated on an inner tube as long as his bum didn't touch the water, the one who wouldn't go past knee depth without griping on to me - is now on "step one". He's kicking his legs while using the boogie board. He's also walking out to chest deep water.

Now there are new rules for my fearless heroes: you can't go swimming further that you can walk without touching the ground without mom or memere out in the water with you. We also strung a buoy line across. SO they're constantly asking us to go swimming.

So every morning we woke up, the boys scarfed down breakfast, and then swam in the water all day, every day, taking breaks to eat, drink water, sunscreen and potty breaks. And at night they slept so well.

I'm amazed how far they've gone between this year and last year. It's wonderful to see BOTH boys splashing about in the water. They're getting exercise but more importantly they're getting confidence.

What a great summer!