Swimming lessons

We started swim lessons again. Penelope hasn't been to the pool for a year. It is an indoor pool, but for some reason we haven't done any lessons since last July. Last year we were in a later class so both Chris and I could attend. I think it was a little odd to the teacher that Penelope had both parents in the pool, but we had a lot of fun. This year I'm leaving work a little earlier than usual so I can take her to the beginner class. I had no idea there were levels in parent/tot. We hope to make it to advanced by the end of the summer.

So I was a little nervous today. Penelope has not really enjoyed baths for a few months. Plus, this time I had to maneuver the locker room and pool area with a walking toddler. I decided it would be a success if she didn't run to the edge, I run after her, slip, we both go over and have to be rescued by the lifeguard. Sigh...how do I come up with all of these "What ifs?"

Well, fortunately no lifeguards were called to our aid. I had a little trouble prying teddy bear (or beddy bear as Penelope says) from her hands before we headed into the pool. She had the best half hour ever. Chris is going to have to come to a lesson to video tape. Her smile is priceless. She loved every minute, especially standing on the edge and "one two three jump". I pretty much lift her back into the water, but I think in a few weeks she'll be jumping right to me. At the end of class I was so excited to be the mom who had to wrap a screaming flailing toddler in a towel and walk by all the next classes lining up saying "she wants to keep swimming. Sorry...penny, stop you're kicking people.... She had a lot of fun and doesn't want class to be over. sorry, excuse me, sorry, sorry, excuse me." Probably would have made it to the locker room faster without all the apologies. Ugh. I don't like being that parent with the screaming out of control toddler. Although, I'm really happy it was screaming about getting out of the pool and not getting into the pool. We'll see what the next class has in store for us.