So Proud!

We have reason to celebrate! We always consider ourselves lucky to be part of such a great little family, but this month we celebrate two of those members. Hallie and Dad. They each have a new credit to their names and Anna and Mom wanted to spread the news!

After another wonderful session with a high school student/swim teacher, Hallie has learned to swim! Pretty remarkable too since she only gets in a pool for about 8 days once a year when the swim team holds their lessons/fundraiser. After just a couple days, her teacher Kyle had her paddling away and getting her feet off the bottom of the pool. We weren't sure exactly how much skill she would gain since she was pretty much vertical and paddling nowhere fast. But, patient, WONDERFUL Kyle really kept her going and kept her challenged. After a few more days she was calling out to me from the deep end where, for the first time, she was getting ready to push off from the wall to swim for her teacher's outstretched arms. He was so great about giving her a lead to follow without having to 'tease' her by pulling his hands away. She had every confidence in him and even performed a tandem jump into 'the 5'! On the last day, she called to me from the deep end and wanted me to watch her swim to the steps. So, other than 'pulling over' a few times due to circumstances beyond her control (ie; water up the nose) she paddled her way to the steps on her own and pretty quickly for a first timer. We are all so proud of her and can't wait to get her back into the pool for some more practice. (Of course, as previously mentioned in another posting, we have another thing for which we need to provide some follow through - "We can go to their house when you know how to swim..." sigh)

And.....da da da DAAAA! Receiving accolades from colleagues and students from the deck of the pool, Dad was humbly acknowledging their praise and congratulations for being named Teacher of the Year at the high school. Bottom line? He works HARD and he deserves it. Just ask us - we know what's piled up on the table every night and cluttering up the computer. Anyway, we weren't quite done busting our buttons just yet, and thought we'd share.


The History of Hallie in the pool (about 3 min)