First Swimming Lesson

Clay has always said that he wanted to be the one that gave Gavin swimming lessons since he used to teach them when he was a lifeguard.  There were only a couple of problems I saw with that 1. We have no pool 2. If we don't schedule it, it will NEVER happen.  So a couple of weeks ago we decided to go ahead and set a regular time and day every week and then see if we could use Clay's nephew's pool.  Well we got it all set up for the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and then Clay got an invite to go saltwater fishing that I couldn't possibly ask him to pass up on.  Thankfully these friends also have a pool and invited me and Gavin over after they got back from fishing so that Clay could give Gavin his first lesson.

I have been somewhat anxious about the whole thing because although Gavin loves to play in the water (bathtub, hose, baby pool), he never wants to get in a big pool, even if it is only ankle deep.  It was so incredibly hot that day that I think his wariness was outweighed by the fact that if he didn't get in, he was going to roast to death on the cool deck.  

Clay decided to try and acclimate him to the water by putting him in this pool float......

As you can see, Gavin was not impressed at all!   And I of course am playing sideline coach, telling (screeching) at Clay to take him out.

But eventually it worked, just like Clay knew it would.

Then came the dunking session, teaching him to hold his breath.  I know there is no other way to do it, but it nearly gave me an ulcer.  Amazingly enough, it didn't bother Gavin at all, he never cried at all....go figure.

But then the floating and kicking segment, which didn't bother me at all, brought on plenty of crying and No, No Daddy! before he finally just gave in and did it.

 Clay tried several times to get Gavin to jump off the side to him and Gavin never would do it.  But as soon as Wes got in the pool, Gavin jumped right to him....poor Daddy :-).  Clay and I both decided that it was probably best, if I didn't attend future swimming lessons or at least until Gavin gets over his apprehension.  So I don't have any pictures from this past Saturday but hopefully I will be allowed back soon and can get some then.

The cool weather that we were having the first couple of weeks in May have definitely been replaced by the extreme heat we are used to this time of year which makes us all the more thankful for the kiddie pool that Gavin got for this birthday.  Gavin always wants to be outside so having this pool makes it much more bearable for all of us although only one of us plus Gavin can fit semi-comfortably :-).  Poor Clay almost passed out having to blow it up though....

I'll leave you with a couple of cute pictures of Gavin on our way to the grocery store on Sunday.  Silly boy!  We are heading to the zoo this weekend so hopefully I will have lots of pictures next week!