Swimming Lessons

On Monday, Emily had her first independent swim lesson.  I didn't get to see most of it because I felt that she would do a better job and listen to Mr. Shane if I wasn't in her sight.  So, I only caught two pictures - the first one was when she kicked out across the pool...  

and the second was when Mr. Shane purposely brought her into view so I could watch her back float.  
She is a pretty good little back floater, I couldn't believe it when she did it the Wednesday before with me in the pool.  Unfortunately, I didn't get the picture when Mr. Shane moved about 3 feet away to make it clear that she was doing it all on her own.

After a great lesson she was rewarded with two turns down the water slide!
(She had most of the lesson in the part of the pool on the other side of the slide which is why I couldn't see her and she couldn't see me.)

When we got outside, Emily noticed that she had little prune hands...
and she rode the whole way home with her palms up and fingers spread.  At one point she said, "silly water! ... get on my hands."
This morning was her second lesson and I was able to get a picture of her getting into the pool...
and kicking across...
before Mr. Shane said I could come closer because Emily agreed not to cry.  :)
Look Ma, no hands!
Emily has her lessons with another boy - on Wednesdays it is Sterling - and she does a good job waiting her turn on the step or playing with the toys at the edge.  She also turns to me to say hello every few minutes.
Twenty minutes goes by really fast...
and because of another great effort she earned more slide time!
I hope she continues to get better and listen to her teacher because then nothing can stop her... she will be swimming in no time!

(She will continue to go Mondays and Wednesdays until taking a break in November when we head back to Texas.)