Swimming...Finally!

Rule #1 - Don't promise something you can't deliver on.

We can go to the pool tomorrow. Ear infection, no pool.

Rule #2 - Learn from your mistakes.

We can go to the pool this afternoon. Pool closed for swim lessons! Refer back to Rule #1. Arg.

Heather, Kailey and I stood at the Rec Center counter at 5:15 this afternoon, with the lady telling us that swim classes started at 5:00 and the pool would reopen at 7:45pm. Quick thinking (and a somewhat understanding 4 year old... tears, yes, but no screaming...) lead me to call the other Rec Center in the area. No dice - they aren't open for a free swim until tomorrow at 11:00. I was left with very few choices other than to return to the pool at 7:45 this evening.

Against my better judgement, and 30 minutes after the usual bath time, I piled Heather and Kailey back into the car to get to the pool by 7:45. It was well worth the effort!

Heather put her face in the water 2 or 3 times. Not really by choice; she tripped a few times and had to save herself. She didn't cry and she wasn't upset. She wasn't interested in doing again, but she did voluntarily put her ears in the water and also her chin. Kailey was just about the same in water as she is on land. She jumped up and down many times. Pointed to her chin and ears as they got wet. Climbed in and out of the pool on her own, stuck her face in the water, tried on Heather's goggles and attempted to put her face in the water. She also tripped 2-3 times and got completely wet. She needed help the first time, but the second time she stood up on her own immediately. For whatever reason, Heather has always had a very difficult time standing up in the pool once her feet are out from under her. Kailey had no problem getting herself upright and loved walking around the pool with the water up to her chin.

At 8:30, we took a shower in the changing room, put pajamas on, got in the car, came home, read books and went to bed.

A late night, but a short week, so that should be ok. I'm out at 12:15 tomorrow and we have the rest of the week off to relax.

We may have to bring Daddy to the pool next time.