Tag Archives: water familiarisation

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Level 2 Competency

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Friday, 13 December 2013: Two Hundred and Fifty Six Days Old.

Ayla “graduated” from swimming lessons today.

Well, we got a certificate of graduation but it really just means that the term’s finished and Ayla has achieved a level 2 (out of 3) competency in the key activities.

The “key activities” include;
– getting wet
– keeping balance
– kick & arm action
– going under water
and
– staying afloat

Level 2 is the best a baby of eight and a half months could possibly achieve, so I guess we passed with flying colours (a.k.a. A+ !)

Despite Ayla’s swimming prowess, we’ve enrolled for next term as well.

With my return to work looming in April I am on a mission to enjoy as many experiences I can with my baby girl, and taking her to swimming lessons is one of them.

We’ve also enrolled in music class for next year too, which should be heaps of fun!

My goodness, going back to work sure will be tough!

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My favourite thing

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Monday, 25 November 2013: Thirty Four Weeks Old.

My favourite thing in the whole world is watching Ayla and her Daddy hang out together.

It’s Hubby’s week off this week which means we have lots of father-daughter fun ahead of us, starting with today’s swimming lesson.

Ayla has really started to get the hang of swimming these past few weeks, and today it was Hubby turn to get in the water with her and share her excitement.

Ayla kicks almost the whole time she’s swimming now, she can hold/hang onto the side all by herself, she goes under the water and swims back up without us holding her, and she’s a gun at grabbing items from below the surface.

Ayla has also become most confident baby in the pool – even happier than babies who are a year old, or who have been going to lessons longer – but I guess it’s not surprising given that Ayla spends about an hour a day in the water; splashing and kicking just never, ever, seems to get old for her.

So, by the time today’s lesson was over I wasn’t surprised to find myself wondering who had the biggest smile on their face; Ayla from all the compliments she was getting from the other parents and the instructor, or Hubby on seeing for himself what a great swimmer she is!

 

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Beside the swim school pool

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Friday, 25 October 2013: Two Hundred and Six Days Old.

As I sat beside the swim school pool today, I marvelled at how memories were being made before my very eyes.

As Hubby and Ayla sang the hokey pokey, splashing alongside a couple of mums and their sons, I was so proud to have such a wonderful, beautiful little family.

But what struck me most was how something as brief and simple as a 30 minute swimming lesson could become a life long memory.

Although nothing spectacular happened, the smile on Hubby’s face as he played with Ayla in the water said it all; he’s a confident, proud, loving Daddy who loves his little girl with all his heart.

I know that in 50 years time, when we’re sitting on our porch watching our grand kids play under the sprinkler, Hubby and I will remember that swimming lesson like it was only yesterday.

Because for those 30 minutes only Daddy and Daughter existed; happy in their togetherness and unabashed by their special bond.
R&

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Kick kick!

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Sunday, 6 October 2013: One Hundred and Eighty Six Days Old.

We bought Baby Ayla a swim ring and its one of the best things we’ve bought so far!

Although Ayla still prefers to float in our arms and splash water everywhere, the swim ring is teaching her to kick.

Ayla’s only been in it a couple of times bur she’s already learning to propel herself through the water by kicking.

Won’t be long before we can tie a lure to the back of it and send her out into the ocean.

**JOKING!!**

Here’s a quick video of her practicing;