A Real Floater

We've been having a great summer and Pearl especially has had a lot of "firsts" this summer. This was the first summer that she hastaken swimming lessons by herself (without a parent in the water). She took the lessons at the Roland Pool and the lessons were taught by perky teens who make everything sound exciting and fun. If everything that came out of their mouths were notated in a book, exclamation points would become like an endangered species from overuse. Joking aside, they were very good and enthusiasm was just what the kids needed.

"Ok! We are going to do bobs! Do as many bobs as your age! I'm 16 and I'm going to do 16 bobs!"

Just wow.

Pearl needs that extra encouragement. To say that she was not crazy about going off the diving board is a gross understatement. On day 2 of classes, they mentioned it and she shut down in the fetal position (literally). On day 3 she finally warmed up to the idea. I wish I could say it was smooth sailing from there but honestly it was like Jekyll and Hyde preschool swimming time...

Some days she liked it. Here is a picture of one of the good days:

How about that thumbs up? It was mostly thumbs up and Pearl is really a good swimmer - except for the fact that she doesn't want to put her head under water. Which is kind of a small problem for swimming. But I understand that one of her aunts successfully completed an entire summer of administering swimming lessons as a life guard without putting her head under water so I have hope. She really is a strong swimmer with her arms and legs, it's just that one little issue of putting her head under water.

Danny and I took turns taking her to lessons in the evening and it was all hunky dory until one fateful evening when I was casually sitting at home with Cece and the home phone rang. As luck would have it, I was engaged in conversation on my cell phone. I didn't answer. Then my cell rang. I should have known something was up. Still, I thought I would call Danny back as soon as I got off the phone. About 10 minutes early, Danny and Pearl arrived home and he put her right in the tub - I was still on the phone. I've never been accused of not having anything to say. As soon as the bath began, I had to get off the phone to get the story.

Apparently as the kids were swimming, an unwelcome guest became apparent in the pool...a floater. You know what I'm saying. My first thought was a specific scene from the movie Caddyshack:

http://youtu.be/Th_aBzrV37M

Rather unfortunately, it was not so solid and was definitely not a Baby Ruth (as I heard it). Fortunately the pool was only shut down for a day and lessons were on for the next night. Funny story to tell as long as I was not the one swimming in the poo. Er um I mean pool.