Growin’ Up South Florida Style!
Yesterday we had communion at the beach, ate dinner and then did some good old playing. Our children are great swimmers and Mike and I feel like we have accomplished a major task by helping them not be fearful of the water. I literally started taking them to the pool at 6 months and going under water with them, shooting them to the wall and jumping in straight away with them. People at the pool thought I was whacked, but I didn’t care. Swim lessons here are CRAZY expensive and I knew if they were to learn, I would have to do it, because extra money around here was used for food. (Remember my 5 part home school schedule story? Money was scarce.) We never used floaties with them, and trained them quick on how to get to the wall. I got the book “How to Teach Your Baby to Swim” and by 2.5 they all had it down pat, no help, across the pool, getting their head up with no problem. I think I was happier the day Hudson could swim unattended then I was when he kicked the diaper habit. We don’t have a yard, but we have the community pool and the beach 10 minutes away so we use it like a tool.
Recently, we have been helping them get used to the ocean and the waves, as it is completely different than the pool. The sting and taste of salt water is a bit daunting at first, but once you are used to it, no problem. Last week we taught them “duck diving” and they have been learning the merits of the boogie board from the older kids at church. They know the life guard flags and how to get out of a rip current. Yesterday was windy and choppy. Mike and I didn’t want to get in the water, but they did, so off they went with some other church family friends. I was a bit nervous watching them navigate the waves, but I just let them go and learn a bit and kept calling them back when they got too far. (Great Scott, that is a metaphor for life).
One of our families dearest friends is a life guard. He has been a part of our faith community from the beginning and has seen our kids, from inside me till now. They adore him and trust him entirely. He has been saying how he was going to teach the kids to surf and yesterday was the day, and now they are hooked. He pulled out the long boards, and everyone was hangin’ ten. Well my little two were belly riding, but they took it in to the beach. Can I say I am jealous? I grew up here and never learned to surf. I am now adding it to my list of things I want to learn to do. The kids say they will teach me:-)
It’s all about wanting a long board now for Christmas. Sorry the pics are so grainy. Alas, our camera phone grabbed this historic moment as I didn’t bring my camera. What was I thinking?
Yeap - It is 3am and I am up writing a blog. I was “summoned” by a child to help change sheets at two, and I don’t know about anyone else around here, but when I hear “Mommy” being yelled from an offspring in the midst of a deep sleep, I literally jump 3 feet in the air and start running like an Olympic track athlete. Well you know, all that adrenaline keeps me from falling back to sleep. I am also making a serious mental note to have yet another conversation with my dear children about how they are to wake me if they need me at night. I was a mess with infants, as I never deeply slept for about 4 years because I was pregnant or nursing and never able to fall into a deep sleep. Oh God Bless my dear Husband.
Peace to all those who hang ten today~
