Proud Sophie and her New Skills

For the past three years, Sophia and her life jacket have splashed in each pool of water, hand in hand, an inseparable pair. "Take the jacket off and swim a little," I would cajole. "No Way!" was her reply. After a full summer and a half of prodding our little fishie out of her floatation device, I simply became accustomed to seeing her bopping around with her jacket zipped up tight. Multiple sessions of swim lessons were in our future, I was sure, with me doling out registration fees and Sophia blowing one bubble after another. But everything changed yesterday when Sophia slipped into the Gorman's pool. Of course she had her trusty life jacket on but suddenly she switched from vertical bopping to horizontal flapping, face in the water and all. "Take off your jacket" we all persuaded. With the life saving device behind her, she took a deep breath, plugged her nose with her little fingers, and shimmied her way across the pool! Our little fishie sprouted fins and away she went from one side of the pool to the other, back and forth, until the rafts and swim toys had been piled up high and the towels were hanging to dry. We pulled proud Sophie out, promised to call the grandmas and of course to bring her back to her favorite swimming pool. 

And as if learning to swim were not enough for one summer, Sophia is now a skilled winker. 

We think it's pretty cute. 

(And so does she!)  

*For another perspective on our life, check out Emilie's blog at www.emiliesadventures.blogspot.com. She is back in publishing mode. (And she LOVES your comments!)