When Sydney was 20-21 months old, we bought one of those inflatable ring swimming pools for the backyard because Syd loved being in the water. It was a little 3 foot pool, nothing fancy, but enough that she could float around in. One day while we were cooling off, we decided to try the old tried-and-true sink or swim approch to see what would happen. Tommy would dunk her under the water and pull her up. He did this several times and on the fifth or sixth time he dunked her under and let her go. She stayed under for a second, came up for air and sunk. Tommy went to grab her, but instead waited to see what would happen. She started kicking her feet--- she was swimming! She kicked herself to the top, took a breath, and back under the water she went. Later that summer, we went to the Hill Country to see family and she was swinging off the rope swing into the Guadalupe River, all before she was potty trained.
She loves to be in the water. She likes to take baths, just to play and lay back in the water.
Last week I saw an ad in the paper for a new swim club. I called and got some information. I asked Sydney about it when she got home from school. She seems to be stoked about it, all except the 7-8:30 a.m. practices in the summer. I'm really excited for her and I think this may be her "thing". She's not much into athletics. She has tried t-ball, soccer, flag football... she had fun, but after the initial season, she didn't want to do it again.
Sydney's first swimming trial is tomorrow and I can't wait to watch her swim. I'm so proud of her in everything that she does and I really hope this is something that she wants to put her all into. I never saw myself as a "soccer mom". Maybe a "aqua mom"? We'll soon see!
