Swimming

Growing up in California, swimming was something that we did every summer. I loved the water and some of my best summer memories took place in a swimming pool. I still love the water, but... since we moved to Washington, swimming pools are not as available to us. however, we do belong to a club that has a lap pool, a small therapy pool, and an outdoor sundeck. It is important to me that both Charlie and Lynnae be very comfortable in the water, especially with so many lakes and rivers in the area.

One of the things that is weird about acquiring someone else's children is that you don't really know what their capabilities are. We knew, from one of Lynnae's previous foster moms and a picture from last summer, that Charlie did not care for the water at all. And when Lynnae told me that she was "like a fish" in the water I believed her. I have learned, gradually, not to take such statements at face value.

One day about a month ago, I packed up the kids in the car and took them to the club with the intent to use the outdoor sundeck. When we arrived a the club we learned that the sundeck was closed due to a problem with the heater. (Yes, in Washington we actually have to heat the water in outside pools because it is not warm enough otherwise.) "No problem," I thought, "I'll take the kids into the little therapy pool, make sure Lynnae is good and then she can go into the big pool." Well, let me tell you, she is NOT "like a fish". For the first 15 minutes I had Charlie clambering to keep as much of his body out of the water as possible while Lynnae tried to show me how well she could swim... sinking with each first stroke. Good thing the pool is only 3.5 feet deep!

I was just about to surrender and exit the pool as quickly as possible when Charlie miraculously calmed down. I saw little life vests near the pool and grabbed one for him. This gave him the security he needed to have some confidence and relax in the pool. Then I was able to start working with both of them. We have gone swimming several times since. Charlie now propels himself around the pool in the life vest... he gets mad when I even touch him because he's so independent. he loves to go under the water, and in fact tells us all the time, "I want to go under the water!" (He also puts his hands up, take a deep breath and then mimics holding it while going under water... really cute!) I'm trying to teach him how to respect the water as well by removing the life vest and letting him float... and see what happens if he pushes me away without the vest. He actually has done a back float and is kind of getting close to the doggy paddle. Lynnae can do the dead man's float and float on her back... Mostly I have had to teach her to relax and use larger, slower movements when swimming. At first she was so frantic and tense that she would sink like a brick. I have actually been able to let her into the big pool lately. She starts lessons in two more weeks... and I'm hoping she'll be a confident swimmer by the end of the summer.

I have really enjoyed my swimming time with the kids. It has been good bonding for us, and a great outlet for energy. We also were fortunate to receive a backyard swimming pool as a gift from the Stutzmans, and the kids have been enjoying it as well. I don't have pictures from the big pool because I am actually in the water too... but here are some of my favorites from our backyard pool. Thank you Carleigh and Joe... they love this pool, especially the slide!

...........Pictures will be posted after adoption is finalized.....................