So much fun...Wobble Gobbles and all!

Today was a big day for the boys. For the past two weeks they have gotten to wake up, scarf down a bowl of cereal and then partake in what has become one of their favorite activities.... swimming.

Today was the last day of swimming lessons. When the boys came to us, swimming was almost like a foreign object to them. Their foster family has a swimming pool but when we saw it, it didn't have water in it and in asking the boys we soon learned that their idea of swimming was splish splashing around in one of those plastic pools you can buy at Target. With Jarrett and I both swimming fans, we couldn't wait to introduce them to the pool.

Gabriel, having more of a cautious and reserved personality was at first a little afraid and scared. On his first trip he wore his life jacket, two arm floaties and carried a water noodle while he tip-toed into the first two steps of the pool. His brother Michael on the other hand, responded in the complete opposite manner. Although we made him wear a life jacket, Michael approached the water full speed ahead and did a face flop (similar to the belly flop only where you plant your face into the water in the same manner as you would you belly in the other type of flop) into the deepest part of the pool. He showed no fear. As you can imagine Jarrett and I realized signing them up for swimming lessons was a top priority.

Throughout this summer, since I've been blessed to be a home for the majority of it, we've spent a lot of time in the pool practicing how to bob our heads, blow bubbles and how to kick our feet. Although I feel like we've seen their swimming skills grow significantly, taking them to swimming lessons has been amazing.

In their first few days in the "Shrimp" class they learned how to swim underwater to retrieve items, how to do the crawl stroke and how to roll from their back to their stomach to begin swimming. It has been wonderful to watch their confidence and ability to move throughout the water grow. The fear Gabriel possessed has turned into a controlled and low level of concern as he now knows what to do in situations that used to make him afraid. And Michael I think he is starting to learn that he needs to have some fear of the water and that he does not have gills. Seriously, for a while there I think he thought he could be Nemo. Last week he told me, "Mommy, I can't breathe under water." Yes Michael that is why you have to wait until we can catch you before you jump

Today as the boys received their first report card and got all passing marks, I felt proud that their progress was apparent not only to Jarrett and I, but also to their favorite swimming teacher Melanie. Shrimp class complete, next step... ducks.

Until next time,



Angie

PS: And if you are wondering what Wobble Gobbles are... they are those things that Michael is wearing on his face in the first picture. We've told the boys a few time they are called water goggles, but they insist and correct us by saying, "No mom, they're called Woggle Gobbles."