Circa 1989: happy as can be, my siblings, mom and I walked into the water park (magic waters if my memory serves me correctly, but often times it does not.) We ran from one slide to the next. As we made our way through the park, I spotted the "Fruit Loop Slide", that may or may not be it's actual name but it's what I remember calling it. You know the one? The slide then the little pool, then the slide? Yup. That's it.
I had my tube and was all ready to go. At the top of the slide the lifeguard made it very clear, "Do NOT stop in the pools, keep going down to the next slide." I nodded my head that I understood and down I went. Down the slide and into the first pool, butterflies in my stomach and a giggle in my throat, the current swiftly pushed me out of the first pool and into the next. As I slid carelessly down the next portion of slide, the cool wind on my face, I hit it. A bunch of kids had stopped to play in the next pool. The small pool way up high in the air was filled with tubes from one side to the other. I tensed up as I hit them, off my tube I slid and under a sea of other tubes. It seemed so effortless, it happened to fast. Under the water I banged my fists against the bottom of all those tubes, I pushed and wondered "does nobody see an empty tube up there and realize I'm missing!!?" I tried to go up in between tubes but they were packed too tight for me to push through to the fresh air. Fresh air, it seemed like an eternity since I'd taken a gulp of fresh warm air, there was no way out. I was going to die! My 8 year old mind doesn't remember much more than that. Until I woke up in the arms of a lifeguard.
Maybe this is why I have a low tolerance for rule breakers at public places? Mmm, Maybe. But it definitely plays a big part in my fear of water and my insistence for my kids swimming lessons. But I was much luckier than the boy in my next story.
He skipped happily next to his Uncle as they walked up to the house. Uncle was taking him to see Grandma. They got into the house and conversed with Grandma for a few minutes. Uncle decided to leave again and did so without telling Grandma his intentions, assuming little one was going to stay behind with Grandma. But he didn't, little one followed his Uncle out of the house like a little puppy, he started to cross the little bridge that ran over the coy pond in the yard. Something caught his eye, or he tripped, or something. Nobody knows. By the time anyone went looking for the toddler he was face down in the pond. Nothing was going to bring him back. He was already passed his suffering and fear he must have felt while he was in that water all alone. He is with our Father in Heaven and watches down on us today.
This little one was Duc's older brother. It happened in Vietnam when Duc was just a little baby. His brother only 2 years old. Paranoid around water are we? Yes. Adamant about swimming lessons are we? Yes.
Sorry to start you off on such a depressing note. But I think people think I'm funny because I'm so water phobic. But it is with good reason.
Lucky for us, we found a wonderful lady, Susan, and her daughters and grandkids that do an excellent job teaching littles how to swim, and what to do if you do find yourself in trouble. I love watching my littles learn new things (I'm pretty sure that's clear by now, teehee) I love watching their last lesson and seeing all they've learned over their two weeks of swimming lessons. I enjoy taking them to the pool and helping them remember what they learned.
Again, I'm in sports mode so there are A.LOT. of pictures. They're just so fun!
Kahner is fearless. Much to my chagrin. Oh that boy. He loves to dive
Little miss is a bit more cautious. But not much...
And this one. He is (and always has been) my most cautious of cautious.
I just love those little faces peeking over the edge at me...
floating on her back...
working hard Mr. ollie paddles to his teacher...
I love his diving technique
poor kids don't have an ounce of fat to keep them warm...
look at that boy go!
He popped his head out of the water with a look on his face as if to say "did you see me?! Aren't I amazing?!" and yes, yes you are my peach.
And to finish off, free time! They love free time.
over and over and over again!
How precious these little ones are to me. They growing up much to fast for my taste. But oh, how I love to watching them grow and learn! They amazing me and teach me something new every single day. They all did amazing in their swimming lessons this year these darlings of mine, I am so proud of their progress. To be continued... next year.
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