Swimming

The girls have been in swim lessons for the past two weeks. They are doing well except for the jumping thing...H will NOT jump off the diving board. K will not jump off the side. They are petrified. In trying to coax H off the board I said, "Do it for Daddy, he would want you to be brave." Her response: " I don't care. I'm not doing it." Every lesson she climbs up the board, walks out as far as the railings will take her and then freezes. The wobbly board and looking down at the water make her reverse all the brave statements she has been making since the last lesson. It doesn't matter that the tiny four-year-old in her class happily leaps off the board or that she did it last year (she claims she doesn't remember). She has now been dropped off that board five times. But at least she keeps trying and always feel likes she can do until the moment of truth. But poor K spends every night sobbing about having to jump into the pool. She will happily swim and kick her way around that pool but she will not go under and she certainly won't jump. She too has been handed from lifeguard to teacher five times. All the other kids in her class will jump in so the teacher told them they could try the diving board next time. It was like she handed K a guaranteed nightmare. She says she cannot jump off the diving board until she is five (9 months away!) Their last lesson is Friday and T is taking them this time. The girls break down less and act a bit braver around their dad, we will see what happens.

And why you ask is T taking them? Because I am flying all by myself to Des Moines to visit my dear friend Candy and her family, including the newest addition (finally a girl!). Their basement got flooded in the rains this season so all seven of us will squeeze into the two bedrooms and living room on the main floor. I can't wait and I will get to visit my friend Helen, a refugee from Africa, and Erica with new twins. And quite possibly visit my favorite store...a tea house called Gong Fu Tea where I can restock. I'll be back Monday night. Meanwhile, T has to manage the girls, swim lessons, a birthday party and the first two nights of vacation Bible school. It isn't too hard until you remember that he must also remember food for K everywhere he goes. But I'm not worried, he's a pro.