Determination

On Tuesday we had a playdate at a friend's pool. My friend told me, "The lifeguards have had to do several rescues this summer so they are now very strict about who goes down the slide. If Wesley wants to do it, he will have to pass the swim test which is one lap (25 meters)." I didn't think he could do it. Wesley quickly started asking about going down the slide. I told him he would have to swim the entire length of the pool. He said, "I can do it. I want to try it."

On his first attempt, he stopped at the two ladders along the way. I tried to explain to him that he had to do the entire length without stopping. I was surprised that he wanted to try again.

On his second try, he stopped at the second ladder (3/4 of the way) to rest. He asked me, "Now, can I go down the slide?" I told him no that he had go from one wall to the next without stopping. He said he could do it but I made him rest first.

On his third attempt he swam the entire 25 meters! I was so proud of him. I was proud of him for swimming 25 meters. I still can't believe that he swam the entire lap without stopping.

I am even more proud of him being so determined. He knew what he wanted and he was willing to keep trying until he got it. My friend's four year olds and six year old also enjoyed going down the slide. The slide shoots the kids out into the deep end ofthe pool. Lydia cried at first about not being able to go down the slide but she quickly got over it. Next year maybe she will be able to pass the swim test.