Water Skills

On Monday, June 18th of 2007, my little brother drowned where the American and Sacramento rivers converge.  He was a healthy 22yo and a strong swimmer, but somehow, it wasn't enough.
Combine that with the general paranoia of motherhood, I'm very concerned with water safety.

With Bauer being bigger this year and not content to just sit in a raft or hang out in mommy's arms, I have not gone to the pool by myself with my kids.  Emberly thinks she knows how to swim (but picture frantic doggy-paddling) and Bauer doesn't know that he needs to know how to swim and has no respect for the water.  It's too much for one person.
So this year they're taking lessons.  Their instructor is using a sensorimotor technique that means even Bauer will learn to swim and what to do should he fall into a pool.
They've had one week of lessons so far and they are a workout!  It's amazing how quickly they can learn a skill.  Bauer complains through most of his lessons and is exhausted by the end.

I cannot wait to be able to go swimming with them and not have my anxiety level on red alert.
This clip is nothing too exciting as it's difficult for me to tape when I've got to keep an eye on at least one squirrely kid all the time on the observation deck, but stay tuned for footage of Bauer swimming once they get further along in their lessons!

I hate only being able to wonder how much joy Brandon would have taken in his niece and nephew, or if by now he'd have kid(s) of his own that he'd bring over to play with their cousins. I think making them safe in the water is the best way I can honor his memory.
If you're in the Las Vegas area and your interested in your 10mo to 4yo child learning water safety skills and swimming, please check out Dolphin Baby Swim School.