As we got ready for the day I told Sophia, “Come on let’s get ready for swimming.”
“Splash!” She said excitedly.
Great, yeah I’m going to get splashed a lot. There really isn’t any point to me putting my hair up in a bun is there? Sophia enjoyed jumping off the edge of the wall into my arms several times. On one occasion, she jumped before I said three and I was able to catch her before she was all the way in the water. The instructors frequently emphasis the importance of teaching the kids only jump when the cue is given, but this is the only time it feels like a dog obedience class for toddlers.
Then on one occasion after I gave the ok, Sophia didn’t quite jump, but instead slipped and rolled into the pool. I was standing at a jump distance and not prepared for the roll into the water. She went under and I saw bubbles floating up. I pulled her up. She looked scared. She didn’t cough at all so I guess I moved faster than it felt like I did. I must have retrieved her before she inhaled water. I was probably much more afraid than she was, but I hid my fear well or the child just recovers much more quickly than I expect. She almost immediately pointed to the edge of the pool indicating she wanted to go again, and she did. I think my heart continued to pound well after the class.