Swim, Little Fish

Here is Zahra, walking up the ramp, on her way to swimming lessons. She loves going up and down this ramp, even though there is a normal walkway right next to this. If she looks a little upset here, it's because she didn't want me to take her picture before she got in the pool. When she saw me taking this picture (I was trying to take it without her noticing, but she turned around), she said, "Mom! I'm not in the pool yet!"


For the past two weeks, Zahra has been going to swimming lessons at Golden West College (where I work at the bookstore and go to school). She's in the preschool group (ages 3, 4, and 5), which, when taken through the City, is called Tiny Tots. She's been taking swimming lessons every summer since she was 3. This is the first time she's been to the pool at Golden West. Usually we go through the City of Huntington Beach and have been to the pools at two high schools (Edison and Marina) and last summer went to the indoor pool at the City Gym. The pool at Golden West was recently remodeled and just re-opened this year. We're doing two sessions of swimming lessons, this first two week session at Golden West and then the next two weeks we'll go through the City again and go to the indoor pool there.

Here's Zahra in front of the "big" pool, before any of the kids got in. I guess her class at 9:30 is the first one of the day.

Today was "Safety Day" so the kids got to wear life jackets -- this one is almost as big as she is! The instructors had the kids go in the "deep" end (4 or 5 feet) of the little shallow pool and float around and try to kick and swim with the jackets on. In years past, Zahra has been uncooperative at times and has refused to participate in whatever the instructor is trying to have the kids do (e.g. kicking, floating, blowing bubbles in the water, anything). This year, it seems Zahra has been much more interested in following directions. She seems to really enjoy her time in the pool and look forward to each morning so that we can go to the lessons.

Her expression says it all here, but the dialogue that took place here is as follows -- Me: "What's wrong, Zahra? What's that look for?" Her: "I look funny in this thing." I had to admit to her that she did look a little silly, but still cute as ever.

Zahra lined up on the edge of the pool with the other kids. And no, that kind in the blue shirt is not falling in. Just outside the frame is an instructor who is helping him. I promise.

Zahra with her swim teacher, who seems to get a real kick out of Zahra's little personality. She always has to pull Zahra out of the pool at the end of each lesson. Part of that is due to the fact that the pool is warm and Zahra likes the temperature in there (because she's so cold and shivering when she gets out), but I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that she's really having a good time in class.

Zahra wrapped up "like a burrito" and not too happy that class is over for the day. And another shot of her, walking barefoot back to the car.