Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Swimming Lessons

Everyone has been harping on us to get Ethan swimming lessons; grandparents, doctors, friends, relatives, strangers, and on and on. We agree that he needs to know how to swim, especially in Florida. Here's the problem: swimming lessons are Monday through Thursday at 10:00 am for half an hour for two weeks. Really? Yes, like everywhere. 

Apparently parents are expected to take 2 weeks of vacation for swim lessons. The only flexible option is paying for a private instructor and then paying for everyone to access a pool. In this case, we'd still have to take off work and clear time from our schedule. What happened to Saturday morning swim lessons like I had? Gone, apparently. 

We decided, screw it. We'll teach him ourselves. On our schedule. 

It's going just fine. 



All set to swim in the public pool. Rates went down this year while everything else went up. Thanks COVID. 


This is one picture that is just funny. He's fine with the lessons, I had just rushed the training a little and he wasn't comfortable enough on his own, even with the life vest (which are free to use at the public pool).


Like I said, he needs to get comfortable in the water over his head. There was a lot of clinging. 


There was also a lot of jumping and splashing. We make learning fun. 


Both hands on the kickboard took patience. He kept using one hand to hold on to me, even when he could feel me holding him. Getting comfortable is part of the training. 


After a while, we finally got good use from the kickboard. 


Finally swimming (with the kickboard). Not something he can do right away lesson after lesson. 


Proud of his big steps forward after just two lessons. 


We'll work on those kicks but the improvement is there. 


He's getting used to it. 


Floating (with assistance) and not clinging to me :)








4th of July 2022

 Its the biggest event at the park every year. This was no different. If anything, we did right cooking out at home and then walking to the park before sunset. It was very crowded, more than Christmas, or spring, or Halloween! 

We got there in time to walk around and see fireworks. The lines for food, bounce houses, and the little kid's train ride were all too long to wait. Fortunately, we got a front row seat for fireworks.


Leaving later we got to enjoy a pretty sunset and avoid the heat after cooking out and eating at home. 


The fireworks show began at 9:00 pm.


We got to see a full 30 minutes of fireworks close up. 


Kids were playing and families were enjoying the show. 


Ethan had a good time watching the fireworks. 


He got really excited and shouted "Boom!" during the fireworks show. It was good to be able to enjoy the event this year.