Friday, May 6, 2011

The Doggy Paddle is My Best Stroke

Quite literally. 

I grew up in the MidWest.  Our opportunity to swim and engage in water activities was pretty much restricted to 2 1/2 months of the year.  Even with a giant in ground swimming pool in our backyard, I never did quite master the concept of holding my breath under water.  I flail.  I struggle.  But, I certainly can get myself from point A to point B...usually holding on to a noodle, but whatever. 

The hubs is a water baby.  He grew up on the coast in San Diego.  Water was an everyday part of his life.  He played water polo and made the All American Water Polo team in college.  The man can swim.  He can do egg beaters in the water endlessly.  He can do flip turns, and he cuts through water like a dolphin. 

My kids got his athletic ability.  I didn't realize how great my 5 year old is at swimming until I watch her with other children her age.   She holds her breath, she retrieves matchbox cars from the bottom of our pool, she dives in headfirst.  The hubs chucks her in the air and she canon balls to the bottom of the pool.  She is fearless and comfortable in the water.

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Of course, Chloe Belle watches big Sissy and she wants to do everything just like her.  We recently purchased Puddle Jumpers for her at our local Target.  After she began saying "MYSELF" in the water and refused to let anyone touch her, we decided that she needed some sort of floatation device.  The Puddle Jumpers rock our world.  Daddy now has freedom to play with Camdyn in the water, and Chloe has the freedom to float and kick and get out of the pool on her own.  She also jumps off the side on her own too.  She holds her breath, disappears under the water, and then surfaces with the proudest look on her face.  Getting her to put the thing on is sometimes a struggle, but she sure is happy once she is swimming all by herself in the pool.

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This is how we will be spending Mother's Day this year and that suits me just fine! 

I hope you enjoy your Mother's Day weekend!

8 comments:

Unknown said...

gah- i wish we had a pool!!!

Rochelle@AFamilyofLooneys said...

My friend, I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day.

Moments and Impressions said...

Happy Mothers Day to you! I can't wait for swimming weather to get here.

Ashley said...

Happy Mother's Day my friend! I hope you get the relaxing pool day you deserve. We are having a random cold day here which kinda stinks but hanging on the couch isn't too bad either. XOXO

LeeAnn said...

Happy Belated Mother's Day Carol. :-) I hope you had a great day yesterday!

I wish Rylie was more like Cam in the pool. SHe HATES going under and won't do anything that might cause her to. Maybe we need to come swimming at your house! Bryce, on the other hand, is fearless. He already jumps in from the side, goes under, and comes up laughing. But yet, he hates Merry Go Rounds. LOL Go figure.

Lexie Loo, Lily, Liam & Dylan Too said...

Happy Mother's Day! I hope you had a nice day!
The pictures of the girls are so cute. That's wonderful that they're so comfortable in the water!

Jennifer said...

Happy Belated Mother's Day Carol!! I am amazed at this post! I love that Cam is doing so much in the water and the Chloe is following in her footsteps!! It is great that you are learning early. I am not a good swimmer...I can doggy paddle and I have to hold my nose underwater. And sadly, my kids are taking after me. Christopher doesn't like getting his face wet in the bath...LOL! I might need some private lessons for my kiddos...can I borrow your hubs?? LOL!

Mama Hen said...

So adorable Carol! Swimming is so important for the children. Have a great day my friend!

Mama Hen