The Swimmer

Hi Shira,

 

Dogface with a hot dog

I love this Hen!

Peaceful slumber in the tent

Now  they're going to call ME Frizz

Love these waves

I'm Cute!

Don't skid your nose on the pavement!

The title of this post might remind some readers of a short story of the same name.  It was something I was required to read in a literature class.  The main character was bored at a party and decided to ‘swim’  home.  Except not in a body of water connecting him with his home.  He decided to dip in each backyard pool he could find along the way.  That is not your story.

Your summer has been dominated so far by swimming lessons.  The first day your instructors thought that you were a level 3 because you are so soft spoken and shy. The second day they passed you on to level 4. 

Those first two days were quite trying because you cried nearly the whole time you were in the water.  The water is pretty cool in that pool and that was one of your complaints but you were also resisting the challenge of learning to swim better.  On the second day I asked you to get through the day without crying.  The teachers and I had been telling you to keep moving to stay warm but you hadn’t taken that advice.  So, that second day when I asked you to just get through the lesson without crying, you cried within one minute of getting in the water. 

On the third day something unexpected helped you to get off to a good start.  I think there was some friction between you and the teacher.  I don’t know why, I don’t think she was mean or insensitive but you two were not connecting.  On the third morning she didn’t teach your class and you had someone new.  Somehow that got you going and you smiled the whole class and did much better.  I had told the supervisor that I thought I would get you out of the water after 30 minutes because you just couldn’t function after you decided you were cold.  But, I didn’t have to do that.

On the fourth day we had two incentives for you.  One was that your Uncle Ben was there to watch and the other was a thermos with hot cocoa to warm you up at the end of the lesson.  And afterward we got to treat Uncle Ben to a trip to the famous Joe’s Donuts.  By then you were on a roll.  You were putting your face in the water and doing great motorboats. 

The following week you got moved up to level 5.  That was cool because on the day of the bike derby you and Sidra were in the same class for a while.  She was just there for the day and they moved her over to level 6 but you were in the same class with big sis who is 3 years older!

The bottom line is that you have grown as a swimmer and a student. The difference between your first lesson and your last one is incredible.  I am very proud that you stuck with something that you weren’t sure you wanted to do and made something positive out of it. 

I mentioned the bike derby.  I think this is your second bike derby, maybe the third.  I know that it is the second time that you have ridden a pedal bike.  This year about half of the 4 year olds like you were riding without training wheels and about half were using them.  There were so many 4 year olds this year there were about 3 heats.  You were a strong second in your heat.  You and a boy were far ahead of the field.  You had a slower start than him and a flying finish. 

We just returned from a camping trip to a spot near the beach.  You and Sidra had great time playing in the surf.  I don’t know how you guys stand that cold water of the Pacific Ocean.  It must be a kid thing because I remember attacking it with the same exuberance when I was growing up. 

The camping spot also had a nice network of bike trails.  You enjoyed them but had one really scary pile up.  There was one significant hill that was hard for you to pedal up on either side.  We were almost back to camp and I’d waited with you while you pushed your bike up to the top.  You climbed back on to go down and then a combination of inexperience, speed and panic brought you to ruin.  You started pedaling really hard and I shouted for you to slow down.  You slammed on the brakes, broke into a skid, and ended up going face down onto the pavement.  I really expected to see a broken nose when I got to you but I think your helmet took just enough of the blow to save you from a worse injury. 

Something I really like about you unfolded next.  Through your tears you said you didn’t think you should ride the rest of the way back to camp.  But a few minutes later but before you stopped crying I said we should get going and you got back on the bike and finished the ride.  While that incident was your worst of the trip, it wasn’t the only one.  You had a couple of minor scrapes on the loop right next to the campsite.  On one of those you got up and dusted yourself off and went on your way without the intervention of a parent. 

In addition, you were honing your skills on the bike.  You showed off by rolling by with your feet lifted high off the pedals.  And you began riding in a standing position with your bum off the saddle.  You came back after a lap and said “Dad, I rode all the way around the loop with my butt off the seat.”

Lately you’ve been showing some behavior that is probably my fault.  By that I mean it’s probably a trait you got from me rather than your mother.  You are pretty content to play and entertain yourself while alone.  I know that is something second, or middle children are likely to do.  I did it a lot when I was growing up.  I know that back then I looked for ways to find my own space to play my own games.  I haven’t noticed you taking it to that extreme yet. 

In one of the photos you are holding a chicken.  This happened at your mom’s Family Fun Fest at the FFA petting zoo.  You spent at least an hour over there and I’m surprised that you didn’t ask us if you could bring it home. 

I can't close this without reporting that you recently told me that you need a back rub AND a neck rub every night.   

It’s been a good summer and there’s more to come.  I’m sure there will be more to tell after we’ve visited the east coast families. 

Love, Aba