My Swimmer!

It is quite amazing to me what the influence of older kids have on younger kids. Hayden's cousins, ages 8 and 5 were here for the weekend and the pool got TONS of use. All the kids were in the water most of Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Hayden pretty much wanted to do everything they did if he could.

At the beginning of the summer, Hayden was so enthused about swimming and taking lessons and being able too roam free in the water. That didn't happen. He didn't get to take swimming lessons because the times conflicted with preschool (summer session) and Maya's naptime. He wasn't bummed about it, but he did talk about wanting to go. Next summer for sure!

Anyway, when he'd get in the pool at the beginning of the summer he wanted nothing to do with going off the big step. He was content playing with cars and what ever he could use on the edge. FORGET kicking while being held. This was just a screaming match.

Then, I bought some "noodles" and he took a step. He would "swim by himself" with the noodle and kick around. This was awesome, he was finally moving! He was so proud of himself and showed off as much as he could. Just last month he would finally jump in by himself with the noodle. He even would move his arms while supported by the noodle. Major progress in June and July.

A couple weeks ago Buddy bought him a kickboard. Hayden took to that thing like a pro! Kicking around the pool, showing off.

And now, we have a fish! With his cousins here, he got to use some waterwings that they had brought! I thought he would be completely uninterested in them. He'd never seen them and they go on the arms. I think had I bought some and stuck them on him he would have thrown a fit. But, his aunt put them on him and sure enough he's jumping in just like his cousins, swimming with both hands and feet in motion and playing in the water like a "big"kid!!!!

And then, yesterday, I asked him if he could swim all by himself without the support of the waterwings just like Blake and Paige do. Ya know what he did? Swam all by himself without the waterwings, just like Blake and Paige!!! Granted not that far. He went from the bench, to me (probably 5 feet) and back again. But he did it alot! He loved practicing swimming.

The last thing he said when he got out of the pool was that he is going to do good in swimming lessons next time!

I just hope this continues into next April! YEAH HAYDEN!