Today, my kiddos completed a session of swim lessons. I would normally be happy about this, but just like everything has been for the past five months, swim lessons were different this year. In some ways, I guess I should feel lucky we were even able to have them, but I'm just discouraged. My normally upbeat attitude has taken a beating lately, and I find myself just feeling exhausted of all the hoops and protocols and rules surrounding everything. I'll write a whole post about this in a few weeks, but Chris and I are seriously thinking that we won't even be sending the kids back to public school this coming year. That decision has been weighing heavily on me, and I'm just having a hard time not feeling down about everything.
Swim lessons began this past Monday. I signed the kids up to take them at the same place we've taken them in the past (I think this was our fourth year). Of course, the school went back and forth and back and forth about whether or not they would even be able to move forward with lessons, but ultimately decided they would. The lessons are normally 10 sessions over a two week period. For reasons I don't understand, they were trimmed down to five sessions over one week this year.
The kids were sooooo excited for swim to begin! Brianna and Brenson were both in level 3 and Brooke and Brecklyn were in level 1.
When we arrived at the gym, I was pretty disappointed to find out that I wasn't allowed inside the gym at all. I checked my kids in and paid at a table set up just outside the entrance door. Then, my kids' temps were checked and they were permitted to go inside. I had to sit outside, but the first day I could at least watch the lessons from a little porch area. The gym has large garage type doors that can open, and the swim coach had those doors open for parents to be able to observe the lessons.
Unfortunately, the rest of the week was chilly, cloudy, and a bit windy, making it too cold for the swimmers if the doors were open. After seeing the kiddos in action the first day, I spent the rest of the week waiting for them in the parking lot 😢.
On the way to swim on day three, we passed over the lake and saw this beautiful sight. It was a large storm, but the rainbow was shining through.
I forgot to mention that the locker rooms were also closed. That meant that my kids came out to me dripping wet and unable to change into dry clothes each day. It's hard for me to understand how that is keeping everyone safer.
Brianna and Bren were with Coach B (the HS swim coach) this year, and there was only one other student in their group. That was nice, for sure! Brianna did great and graduated to level 4. Bren struggled throughout the whole week with feeling confident in the water. This kind of made me sad because he was swimming so well at the end of the summer last year. If we get to do swim next year, he'll be in level 3 again. Brooke and Brecklyn were also in a very small group, and both did well. They both graduated to level 2. Bren was pretty upset that he was the only one who didn't advance, but thankfully he got over it quickly.
The kids told me that they were disappointed swim lessons were over so quickly. They felt like they were just getting started, and I truly think that Bren could have really benefitted from another week. I wish I could tell them, "Don't worry, kids, you'll be able to practice your skills a lot more!" but that probably won't happen this summer.
Even though I'm feeling discouraged about everything right now, I am trying to be grateful they got one week of lessons. I know they are learning valuable skills, even if things are different right now.
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