" Mommy, I'm Awesome!!"

Mason has been taking swimming lessons all summer long. He is about to move up from his goldfish class to the dolphin class(beg. of Sept) so he recently had to go through a series of 3 float tests. When float testing the child has to either float for 5 minutes or make their way to the side of the pool and turn over to face the wall while wearing street clothes. I have to admit that these float tests are pretty hard core and as an adult I am not sure I would have passed all three of them. Anyways, before he started his float testing I was talking to him about them and everything that he was going to have to do for them. I told him that after each float test they were going to ring the bell for him at the pool b/c he would have done such a great job and because he is so awesome. Little did I know that the second of those two things was going to stick with him like glue :) .

His first float test he had to wear a short sleeve shirt, shorts and tennis shoes. He kicked his way to the side of the pool relatively quickly in this test and we had no problems. They rang the bell for him and changed him (he had his swim trunks on already) and he continued with his lesson.

The second test he had to wear a light weight pant, short sleeve shirt and tennis shoes. This second test Mason passed and mommy failed! He did not make it over the wall as fast as he did the first time ( I am sure the pants had something to do with that) and there was a point in his test when he went under. Well here I am in the observation area watching my child struggle and go underwater and I FREAKED out. I started yelling at the glass I am looking through "He's sinking, He's sinking, he's sinking!" Keep in mind that there are 2 life guards right next to him so he technically is in no danger but this mommy was ready to jump through the glass to save her baby :) Thank goodness for level headed mommies sitting around me that calmed me down b/c Mason did AMAZINGLY!! he never panicked after going under he just calmly got himself back up to the surface and finished his test. When they brought him out to me to change he came out and yelled " Mommy, I am awesome!!" It was hilarious and I quickly agreed with him. :)

The third and last float test he had to wear blue jeans, a long sleeve shirt, socks and tennis shoes. This test went by drama free (thank goodness) and he did great. It took a bit longer to get to the side (he tends to float in circles) but he made it and they rang the bell for my AWESOME boy! Once again when finished he comes out to get changed and yells " Mommy, I'm awesome!!" I of course quickly agree with him because as him mommy I totally DO think that he is AWESOME!! :) After completing all 3 float tests The swim club gave him a t-shirt and of course (to my excitement) a BELL of his very own to ring :)

He really has learned so much and it is a huge relief to know that in an accident situation he would be able to get himself to safety fully clothed without panic. Thank you HSC for turning my child into a confident floater!!

These are from swim test 3. Sorry they are fuzzy I was shooting through glass :)

The wall finally.

Yay Mason!!

His new bell!