Let's Go Swimming

Today Eliza had her first swimming lesson. Dad came around to take Daniel to the park so I didn't need to worry about him during the lesson which was great! A very big help. 

Our normal lesson with be with a lady called Christine (she has taken Daniel for some lessons when Robina has been away and she has been lovely so am happy to have her) but she is away at the moment so Robina took Eliza's first lesson which was great. I didn't know how Eliza would go. The times she has swum at the beach she hasn't really enjoyed it, but then swimming in the pool at Hervey Bay she has been happy. She really enjoys bath time and doesn't mind water going over her head so she could be fine.

We climbed into the water and Eliza was very relaxed moving around in the water. Doing motor boats she even did some paddle actions which was great to see. It was funny trying to remember how to do the different swimming techniques.

She was quite comfortable with me holding her hips so she needed to hold her body and head above water which was great to see. She also was happy having my arm under her chest to encourage her legs to kick, but they didn't do very much kicking. She did like swishing around in the water using the noodle and swimming to get the balls.

Eliza didn't mind having the water go over her head with the bucket which was great. We then did some work 'swimming' to the edge, holding on and doing some monkey movements to get the duck. I was amazed at how she could hold herself up on the wall and instinctively move along it. She did really well. We then did some Humpty Dumpty on the wall. The poor thing was quite cold as it was freezing out so she was happy to splash into the water, just putting her mouth and nose under. She did fine with that so Robina decided that she could have a go being submerged when 'falling off the wall'. She did really well. She got a little bit grizzly when she came up out of the water, but didn't stress out and she settled with a quick cuddle. We did it again and she again got upset so we did some paintbrush movements which Eliza enjoyed and then swam to get the floating toys. Eliza liked that. She was even happy going over to Robina.

At the end of the lesson she went to Robina as I got out of the water and Eliza did get upset at that point. She was then so cold out of the water (she was already shivering towards the end of the lesson) that she just wouldn't settle. Robina mentioned possibly getting a little kids wetsuit for her to wear that would help her feel warm and I think I will do that for both kids. We came home and had a nice warm shower but she was again so cold when we got out and dried her and myself. Next week I think I'll put on the bar heater before we go to swimming so the bathroom will be warm when we come home.

I am really proud of Eliza and how she went about swimming today. It was also really nice to do something with just her as this is the first time it has happened. I am looking forward to each week, even if I'm not looking forward to the cold water.