Swim lessons

Chris's brother, Andy, was badgering us about when we were going to sign Oliver up for swim lessons. But Chris is busy two nights a week with school and E.C.F.E. is my weekly activity with Oliver, so lack of time is our biggest challenge (plus, swimming is so not my thing). Then Andy said he'd take Oliver...an hour and a half off during the post-dinner, pre-bedtime, how do we keep this kid engaged for the last hour of the day time period...I had Oliver enrolled as soon as registration for a new session opened up a few days after Andy's offer.

Because of Oliver's hesitation around the water at the splash pad this summer, I warned Andy that Oliver might cry. Chris interjected that Oliver would cry. We were trying to keep expectations and the pressure low in case Oliver didn't want to do anything more than hang out by the edge of the pool, but the first lesson ended up going better than any of us could have imagined. According to the official uncle report, Oliver whimpered a little when they entered the pool area and clung to Andy a bit when they got in the water, but otherwise enjoyed all the activities the instructor led them through. Whereas he wouldn't get in above his knees at the splash pad, he floated around with Andy in water up to his neck, let Andy help him float on his back, got to throw balls into the pool (and gingerly trod back in after them) and even stood on the pool deck and let himself fall into Andy's arms. Oliver returned home a tired, but happy, kid. (And Andy got his workout too - all the heavy-lifting of a toddler during the swim lesson activities was more tiring than his softball game the night before.)

I joke about enjoying the time off, but it's nice as a parent to see Oliver reach an age where he can go enjoy an activity with someone other than mom or dad. It's a sign of an emerging independence. Oliver and I have our routine of activities during the week, so I appreciate that he's doing something different than what he gets to do with me. And with the new baby coming, a weekly evening at the pool with his uncle will be a happy diversion.