what says "summer" more than ...

swimming?

ian and maya are taking swimming lessons at the community pool. this is ian's second year taking lessons, but he's still in the level I class. it's not that he doesn't enjoy being in the water; it's more about the sensation of water on his face. he hates it, he fears it, he worries about it. he's one of the only kids in the pool who doesn't throw himself into the water, who shies away from the splashing, and is super careful about how much water gets on his face when he blows bubbles or tries to get something from the bottom of the pool.

but he's getting better. and i think that's what's important: to allow him to get over his fear on his own, at his own pace. i already see that his comfort level in the water is much higher than last summer. and unlike last year he's not counting down the days until the end of lessons!

now, maya, on the other hand, seems to be acclimating to the water without any problems. since rupert was around for the holiday weekend he got into the water with her for the first two lessons. although she didn't like it at first, she's been okay with being dunked under the water too. she likes to splash the water with her hands and taste the pool water. it's so cute to watch her little legs kick in the water, or her body stiffen when she's on her back. i love seeing her in this new environment and how she's exploring it.