Xiaoniu 小妞

Just because it seemed that we had too much free time we signed Emelia up for swimming class at the local Y. It’s definitely been worth the time and money spent on going. I’m starting to think that Emelia is a natural in the water, or at the very least a quick learner. Mostly likely she’s a bit of both.

Swimming class is very mild and just one step above the “getting used to being in water” class. She spends the 30 minutes with me learning how to kick her legs, scoop water with her hands and to blow bubbles. After two classes she does all of these and many other things without trouble.

As the class is only 30 minutes long we have been spending time after each class and going to the pool two other days a week to practice. She’s got kicking down pat. Blowing bubbles is easy, but not interesting enough to do for long. While practicing I’ve gotten her into a floatation device that straps around her chest and into the water to get her used to moving around on her own. On the second visit to the pool she had that down too. She’ll race you the length of the pool and give you a run for your money too. She’s a lot faster than you think she’s going to be for a two year old. She’s taken me by surprise more than once, while I kick rapidly to get out of her way.

Some other things that we do are jumping into the pool from the edge to get her used to jumping into the water by herself and to get her used to going under the water or at least getting splashed in the face. I’m also encouraging her to learn how to float on her back. It has taken some working up to, but I’ve been able to hold her up lightly with one hand and even pull away a couple of times. As long as she doesn’t have distractions she’s willing to do it. The toughest part for her is getting over the feeling of security that hanging onto daddy provides. She’ll get over it though.

She’s only been in a pool five times in her whole life and she’s doing great. No fear and can move around with ease. Even the class instructor was surprised by how well she did while we practiced. She gets too shy during class for anybody to see what she’s truly capable of.

Going to the Y has taken some getting used to, but it really is a nice place. A bit pricey for single people, but excellent for families. The family rate is not much more than a single adult, but you get plenty of return on your money. The on-site daycare is worth the cost in my book. Drop the kids off, hit the gym, gets the kids for a romp in the pool and then home for dinner. Not a bad afternoon. We’ll see how things go with Emelia (and Caitlin) before we plunk down the big bucks for a the family rate. For now it is only Emelia who has a membership. I get to go only because she is not a swimmer yet.

Sorry, but there won’t be any pictures. There is a rule that says no cameras in the pool area.