Swim Success

Yesterday we all went to our neighbor's pool, and it's like a light switch went on for CC!  Until now, whenever we take her swimming she has been a little nervous, and has only wanted to splash and play on the steps where the water is about a foot deep.  I was worried that CC would be a very nervous child around water, not comfortable in it, and that it would be a struggle to teach her to swim.

But yesterday there were quite a few people at the pool with us, including Zoe, the 6-year-old girl across the street who CC idolizes.  Zoe actually convinced CC to put her swim float on, and then -- despite CC's mild protestations -- I carried her into deeper water.  CC clung to me, but wasn't crying or fussing.  And slowly I disengaged her arms until she was floating on her own.

The transformation that came over CC when she realized that she was floating on her own was something I don't think I'll ever forget.  She had the biggest smile on her face and she shrieked, "I wim by delf!" (she still has trouble with her "s" sounds).  And for the next hour, CC's laughter was constant: part amazement, part hysteria, part joy.  She was putting her face in the water and blowing bubbles nonstop, and she even propelled herself about 8 feet at one point.

None of the other people at the pool could believe that CC had ever been nervous around the water.  But Matt and I were just amazed.  What a breakthrough!  My only regret is that I didn't have my camera with me to record a picture.