Here are our happy girls, right before our sweet Anna Kate attempted her first swimming lessons with her preschool teacher’s son, Dylan!

Dylan is a lively senior grad who loves to teach swimming lessons.  We thought it would be the perfect set-up for Rose and Noelle to play in the back yard, while Anna Kate works on getting comfortable in the water.  All was fun and happy until Dylan asked Anna Kate to get in the water.  She looked at me and the tears just started falling as she went into panic mode!  Mrs. Paula came out to help, but Anna Kate was not having it!  She loves the stairs of swimming pools so much that we call her “stair girl.”  Up until now, it has been a wonderful set-up for me to be able to take all three swimming by myself, because I always know where Anna Kate is… but we yearn for her to feel the happiness and freedom of swimming!  Anna Kate is going to require the best swimming lessons that money can by, with Mommy no where in sight.  We decided to spend this summer going slowly, focusing on her just feeling comfortable in the water and emphasizing to her that we will always keep her safe.  Next summer will be the big challenge and hurdle to overcome.  I’m praying I’ll find just the right program to meet her needs.  If any of you local friends have a recommendation, email or text me, please. 

We did have a wonderful night of laughing at Rose and playing with Paula’s puppy, Patriot, once we relaxed and let Anna Kate know that swimming lessons were over… for now.