Summer swimmin' & Stuff

The Hillsboro Aquatic Center offers swimming lessons starting at the age of 3, so a couple months ago I was able to get both Annalina and Joseph signed up for swimming lessons this summer, yes I was online the minute registration opened with my class numbers ready. The best part is that their lessons are at the same time! Annalina took lessons at the Jackson School pool before we moved, so she started in the Electric Eel class and is in the main pool. Joseph is in Blowfish I class and is in the wading pool. Its a nice pool with a beach entrance that is only 18 inches on one side and goes all they way to 3 and a half feet at the other side.

Annalina is learning some great new strokes and has fun in her class full of girls. Joseph has 2-3 other kids in his class, depending on who shows up or not. The first day he was terrified and would not let go of me to get in the water. I firmly reminded him that if he did not take lessons he could not go swimming on our vacation next month. So he sat on the top step and slowly scooted into the water. Luckily the teacher had an assistant that day, because he clung to her the entire class. The second day he held on to me, but not quite as tight, and once in the water he was ok on his own. The third day he thought about complaining, I could see it in his eyes, but decided it would be more fun in the water than with me! Now he is fine and is even excited to take a shower before getting in the pool. Something I never thought would come to pass. His class plays great games aimed at getting the kids use to the water. They get to water each other with a small watering can, all the kids love getting the teachers wet. They play ring around the rosie and they go find toys scattered around the pool in the shallow end. Often they have to put their heads under a bit to get them. I have been very impressed with this class, they make it so much fun that the kids don't even realize they are learning!

Since the pool is right next to the Shute Library and Park, we often go early and the kids play on the playground for a while. The park offers free lunches for kids at noon and a play area called the outpost. They have games set up, crafts for the kids to do, bubbles, soccer, etc and there is a theme every week. Well this week was the city police department, so the kids go to do their fingerprints on an identity card. It was fun for the kids and a vital piece of information to have on hand in case of emergency. Later this week they will be bringing a police dog for the kids to see and another day the motorcycle unit will come do some fancy synchronized driving for the kids, and Friday is CSI mystery day. Lot's of fun and such a nice thing for the city to offer the kids on a daily basis!