My fearless water baby

Henry isn't completely fearless. He DOES climb to the tip top of every play structure and ALWAYS heads for the longest, windiest slide. But, he hesitates (briefly) and examines his surroundings before sliding down. He makes his way to the top of McDonald's play structures lickety split, but he stays far away from anything that might be dangerous. Any openings that might cause him to fall: like the fireman's pole, or the rock climbing wall. He doesn't bolt from me in crowds or parking lots. He seems aware of the potential harm in leaving my side. So, he's not COMPLETELY fearless.

My big boys always had a very healthy dose of fear. They never bolted. Never climbed to the top of swing sets (until they were MUCH older), and didn't love the water until they were a reasonable, safe age (4-5ish....). Henry is, well...different, which made this week particularly painful.

This week (and next) is swim lesson boot camp. Since arriving in Bville the boys have spent two weeks at swim lessons w/ two high school teachers in their home pool. The teachers are nice...but definitely NOT like your typical high school YMCA swim teacher (I know what they are like...I was ONE!) They are no nonsense. Kind of like...you WILL swim. You WILL put your face in the water. You WILL NOT say no. They boys hate it. It's work. But, it's 100% effective. And, I firmly believe that once kids get to a certain age (by 5-6 for sure), it's TIME to learn. It's a necessary skill. Owen went for hardly putting his face in the water two years ago, to focusing on the butterfly stroke this year. And, Emmett..finally, this year, can swim across the deep end by himself. It's not pretty. But, he can do it.

So, because of swim lesson boot camp this week (and next) our week was really difficulty. Emmett had swim lessons at 11 and Owen had swim lessons at 2. So, we left the house at 1045 every AM this week (Monday through Friday) and did Emmett's swim lessons. We flew home after and I laid Henry down for a quick nap at 1230. Then, I woke him up at 145 and flew out the door to Owen's swim lessons. The next day, repeat. Poor Henry got completely shorted on his naps this week, because he will normally take a good 3 hour nap. AND, I had to entertain him for 2 hours every day at this outdoor pool. Not easy because Henry is a water baby! Remember how I said that he wasn't completely fearless??? Well, regarding the water he is. COMPLETELY FEARLESS! And, he couldn't for the life of him figure out how come the boys got to swim and he couldn't get in. After Owen's class every day the instructor let him get in during free time. And, the child is a fish. I think it may be because ever since his cord feel off, we've been giving him showers. He gets a bath every once in a while, but it's just easier to wash him if Eddie and I are in the shower. So, his poor head has been dunked under water since he was itsy bitsy.

This video is from swimming at Sheila's house Friday afternoon. He just jumps in (well....usually he says "one...TWO!"). No fear. Under water and back up. He loves the water in his face. This means that I have to be prepared to jump in at all times. He's fast and FEARLESS!