Swimming Class

So the Verbalist, Muralist and Niece went to their first swimming class today. They liked it -all except the showers. Niece had to be carried into the shower and cried that the tepid water "Burns! Burns!" Mine looked on like worried Precious Moments moppets but managed to brave the showers without too much demur.

"Are there SPIDERS in there?" rasps the Muralist in a stage whisper.

"No," I assure her. She has instituted Spider Watch ever since we found one in the bathtub before a bath 2 months ago. She was unsettled by the catch and release program, convinced that the spider lurks in any bathing chamber she might enter. It doesn't help that the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" walks up a water spout which she has translated to mean faucet.

The Verbalist thinks he knows how to swim already (Panda taught him) and flied through all the water acclimation exercizes no sweat. The Muralist, a bit disappointed that she could not bring her Ariel the mermaid doll with her in the pool, splashed and had alot of fun but refused to float on her back. She would dunk herself and blow bubbles, but did not like the floating sensation.

Niece was scared and Sis, prepared, went into the pool with her. My kids, always game for a fresh audience talked the whole time to the instructor.

"Can you put your face in the water and blow bubbles?" she asked.

Naturally both of my kids obliged by putting their faces in the water and talking - the byproduct seemed to be sufficient bubbles to please the instructor. They are eager to go back, actually so am I.