Mermaid Diaries: Mermaid 101

Last summer, following many days at the pool, as well as, a course of swimming lessons, the Dreamer had finally reached a level of "swimming" suitable for saving herself, or at least considering herself "mermaid material"...

Fast forward to this last May, and it is another story entirely. She was tentative, which was expected; however, her refusal to even attempt to get into the water at all was met with my own growing frustration as I juggled the fearless Caveman in my arms and sampled arguments of the benefits of climbing into the pool. My agitated pleas were falling on the deaf ears of someone whom had rested her case in stubborn defiance.  We would get nowhere together, thus Auntie A was enlisted as swimming instructor for the remainder of the summer season.

         Auntie A and the Dreamer

           The fearless Caveman

With Auntie A's repetitive instruction on an almost daily basis coupled with our mini vacation to visit the cousin with the backyard swimming hole, the Dreamer was able to quickly review and master and far exceed her previous skills.  Following her intensive pool time with Auntie A, the Dreamer was now proud to exhibit enough bravery to swim with her face underwater taking side breaths, jump off of the diving board in the form of a very safe pencil or spin position, and slide cautiously down the water slide, and propel her body to plop off of the end of the device producing a subtle wake. I could not have been more pleased with the results. Thanks to Auntie A and her course of Mermaid 101 specifically designed with the Dreamer in mind, visiting the pool has resumed its former status as a fantastic getaway on a hot summer day.

              Diving board antics

                    Water slide fun

When swimming is an option, why would anyone go searching for earthworms?...