Adoption, Older Child and Learning to Swim

Subtitled: Water, Cold Water, Family, Swimming and our Ethiopian Teenage Princess


Back in the middle of May (4 weeks post Princess Sweetness' adoption from Ethiopia) we took a trip down the road to our swimming hole (the town's lake) after dinner.

As you can see, the attire is not for swimming, but as it was a little warmer, we thought dipping our feet in might be fun. 

 Our kids were all excited. 

Some for different reasons. 

 She hasn't seen much water in her life.  To her, this body of fresh water... this was HUGE.  That and she can't swim.  Which didn't stop her from wading right in along with all of her other siblings. 

Everything our Ethiopian daughter does is with much determination
and her whole heart. 

Okay, now she knows that several of her younger siblings can swim (in very cold water).  She had asked that I teach her too. 

Week 4 - no swimmer (her words to be exact).

Week 5- a few days of practice at the lake. Great willingness, but still fear pops its head up. I hold her while she learns to float on her back, I assure her I won't let go and that God made her body to float. Did I mention the water is freezing and that I am not a lover of cold water?!

Week 6- a cold spell no swimming

Week 7- She begins to put her face under the water, but hands are still holding on to the ground beneath her.

Week 8- Princess Sweetness swims!  Under the water- for short spurts...she tries and tries to go further.

(we are currently in week 9!)

 I signed her up for evening swim classes at the lake (semi-private lesson) beginning next Monday.  I picked level two as this is where you actually can swim, but they help you a bit more to refine the basic strokes.  I also signed her up, with the rest of her siblings for level 3, two weeks post her first swim class; as I know her and nothing will keep her from continuing to improve. 

My girl is driven to achieve! 

(psst...thank you God!!)