Since Connor did so well last summer with his swimming, I assumed he didn't need much swim instruction this year. I assumed wrong! As soon as swim season began, Connor seemed to have lost his confidence in the water and wouldn't swim without a floatation device no matter what we tried. So we decided to take advantage of Ms. Glendy being here and signed Connor up for lessons.
There were 8 kids signed up for 30 minute lessons with Ms. Glendy at our house and since most of the kids were Connor's friends from preschool, it was like we had a play date at our house every day of the week! Connor had a blast. This was how Connor's toy room would start out each morning...
And this is how it would look by the time the last swimmer left.
The kids (with Connor's encouragement, of course) managed to make their way into most rooms of the house creating quite the mess everywhere. By the end of the week, we had installed a gate to keep the kids downstairs and we also kept the bedroom doors closed so they would just play where we could see them. One day they snuck away into Jeff's closet of all places. Who knew closets could be so much fun?!
It was a great week of fun, though. Connor did amazing and is now swimming independently again with much improved form. Ms. Glendy is a tough teacher -- won't take no for an answer -- but she is very effective. Here's Connor with Ms. Glendy learning how to have better posture in the water.
Here he is about to swim across to the other side.
And I couldn't resist posting the following picture, where you can see how Connor is "negotiating" with Ms. Glendy (she told him to do something and he tried to talk her out of it). I think he cracked her up with his constant chatter...he never stops talking!
Did I mention that Ms. Glendy makes the kids work hard? Connor was so exhausted that he fell asleep several times during the week when he was having his rest time. A VERY rare occurance. (That's him wrapped up in the blue blanket at the foot of the bed.)
Here's a quick video showing Connor's progress. He's doing the "swim and roll" technique which is basically freestyle. Go Connor!
Oh wow Lauri. I am super impressed with Connor's swimming. Tell him he needs to teach his buddy Jacob some of his skills! Impressive! And it always amazes me swimming just wipes them out. Love the picture of him asleep at the foot of his bed.
ReplyDeleteAnd kuddos to you for opening up your house to all those kiddos. I'm sure Connor had a blast!
I love seeing Connor swim so confidently! He is doing GREAT! Ms. Glendy is amazing....like the dog whisperer but with teaching kids swimming! :-)
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Connor! MeMe is very proud of your swimming skills! Love, MeMe
ReplyDeleteYea, Conner! Looks like Miss Glendy is a very good teacher indeed!
ReplyDeleteOh, look at him go! It won't be long before Connor is swimming hard core like Collin and Kevin.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of Miss Glendy. She clearly takes no prisoners, can't be bargained with and gets those kiddos swimming like mini-pros in no time. Kudos to her.
And kudos to you for opening up your house to massive destruction. Hurricane Kaitlynn seems like she's enough to keep you busy, but then you let the whole pack loose, and you've got the perfect storm! You probably need a nap just like the one Connor is getting after his swim lessons! I'd be wiped out myself!
I wish we were closer so that we could come for swimming lessons too. Jackson is still pretty timid in the water. We are just trying to go and have fun right now. I think we'll do lessons next year. Good for Connor! I know it probably gives you a little comfort having a pool in your yard for Connor to have those skills.
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