Charlie is our cautious fella. He doesn’t like to take risks or really try new things. Some may even call him fearful. We are constantly trying to get him to test out new experiences. Sometimes, we’re successful; othertimes, we’re not.
My parents have a swimming pool that they’ve had since I was about six years old. I love the water! Charlie’s younger cousin, Ethan, is a fish in the water – he has a pool at his house too and older siblings to prod him along. Yesterday, after all the hullaballoo around Daddy’s surprise party (post coming soon!), we spent the day relaxing at Momma & Poppy’s house. We convinced Charlie to put on the puddle jumper for the first time. He clung to us for dear life.
Finally, I brought him to one side of the pool and explained how the jumper would help him float. I encouraged him to spread his arms and kick his legs quickly. I told him to lift his face up to avoid gulping up water. Shortly after, he slowly let go and was swimming! On his own without holding on to anyone or anything! What a strong little guy!
Soon, he was “racing” momma to the ladder and declaring, “I’m almost there!” when he was still at the other side of the pool. He practiced swimming to momma, to mommy, to daddy, to poppy and to the side of the pool. He also learned how to get into the pool using the ladder, all by himself! (We’re still working on full-blown jumping…)
It’s hard to describe feeling so proud of your kids, especially when they step out and try something new, and succeed, but my heart was so full yesterday. And I think about how much he has grown. By the end, he even helped Daddy make a whirlpool:
And he slept like a baby!
This is so cute! Happy swimming 🙂
Cute!! We love our puddle junoers!!! Do you out one in Jack? He’d prib live it too….Malachi was our cautious one in the water & Keagan is our daredevil!
Go, Charlie! Oliver has the same cautious personality.
This is awesome! Elijah is starting swimming classes on Monday! AH! So proud of Charlie!!!
What a cutie!!! Yay for him!!
Really cute! Reminds me of my little brother at that age. Mom signed us up for swim lessons and he was terrified all the days leading up to it…but once he was in the water he was just like a little fish!