Learning to Swim

Matthew is finally old enough to take swim lessons without Mom! We signed him up at the local YMCA (he is in the "Pike" class) and he's loving it. Anna, Grant and I sit and watch while he has his lessons. Anna claps and yells "YEAH MATTHEW!!!" anytime he does anything. She's very supportive. They swim a short lap with a kick board, another one with a float belt, float on their backs with the help of their swim instructor, put their faces in the water and blow bubbles and for a grand finale, they jump into the pool. It's all about getting comfortable in the water. On the very first day, for the very first swim across the pool Matthew volunteered to go first. He used to be very fearful of new experiences (a lot in Okinawa) so I'm very happy he's having such a good time swimming.

Here he is doing the kickboard swim. He was the first one to try it.

And swimming with the float belt. You have to imagine Anna screaming "HOORAY!!" and clapping while he swims. Luckily Matthew is not embarrassed by this. :)

I think he's kicking here.
He told the swim teacher his legs weren't long enough to make a big splash.

And here he is floating on his back like a star fish.
I was very proud of him!