Joseph and John Paul LOVED swimming lessons and made great progress. We did lessons the very last week of summer and the last week the pool was open. The 'fun day' Friday turned out to be a chilly, windy day with parents bundled up in sweaters and jackets. But the kids had a blast and it didn't stop them from trying out the slide, diving board, and diving platform (check out Joseph doing a 'dive' from the platform PFD and all, above). 

We spent an overnight in Humboldt to round off the last week of summer. While the dads/grandpa poured concrete in the garage (and then golfed in the cold the following morning), the kids and moms had a blast hanging out and playing. Dress-up, Lego, babies, ice cream parlour... it was tons of fun! The highlight was watching a big badger saunter across the acreage front lawn and disappear into the cut wheat field. When the boys thought a mound of dirt was the trespassing badger still hanging around, Aunty Rocky had to go with her stick to 'kill the badger' (aka. prove them wrong!).

Swimming Lessons

Our little boy, who somehow or other has become our big boy, is in swimming lessons. Two-a-days. Here are a few ipod pictures.

The class went rafting

John Paul looks on with joy (and some jealousy) .

Mostly joy though.

 Joseph runs away from the teacher (at least I'm not sure why he was by himself playing).

John Paul hangs out with his feet in the hot tub.

The lessons have been a success. Joseph's fear of getting his head wet is slowly washing away.

Swimming, swimming...

I took a trip down memory lane this week and went back to the pool where I worked while in high school and during the summer throughout university. It was high time Joseph had his first swim! The sports centre is currently under major construction as they complete four new arenas, add new fitness facilities, and a new length swim pool. Parts of the old building had disappeared, while other areas were changed beyond recognition. But the pool staff were just the same as I remembered them.

I don't think I've been back swimming at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre since I closed up day camp for the last time in late August of 2009. My former boss and co-workers were certainly surprised to find I'd had a baby in the meantime. I enjoyed a few moments of pride, to say the least. And I believe Joseph has inherited my love for the water! Another excuse for genuine pride!

Both my sisters happened to have part of the day off and joined us, so we had a photographer and an entertainer. I don't think Joseph has ever laughed so much or been so delighted!

Of course, I was equally delighted watching his enjoyment! 'Don't you wish you never had anything else to do, but...swimming, swimming!'