Zachary's Swimming Success

Zachary came home from preschool yesterday and told us that during swimming (he swims 2x/week w/ preschool) Ms. Lindsay took his floaty belt off (he was down to just 1 float pack) and he did the entire time w/ NO FLOATY BELT.  This is HUGE news for us.  So huge in fact that I did not know if I should believe him at first.  He has come such a long way.  When he started swimming with the Y, last year in preschool (1x/week), he wore a 3 float pack floaty belt and refused to put his face in the water or be put on his back.  This year, he started out w/ 2 floaty pack belt, quickly moved to 1, and got moved to the highest proficiency swim group.  Last year he was in the lowest proficiency swim group.  Just amazing.  He would do things for Ms. Michelle last year and Ms. Lindsey this year, in the water, that he refused to do with us when we went swimming on the weekends.  Art and I were both shocked at this news, and wanted to see if for ourselves right away.  So tonight we took advantage of Family Swim time at the Y, and went swimming.  I expected Zach to start off w/ no swim belt, get tired, and ask for one, but he never did!  Just amazing to see him jumping in the pool and swimming with no assistance.  He is officially an independent swimmer.  Shocking.  Here's some of the proof:

Zachary swimming around w/ no assistance

Zach, in the middle, Art with Wyatt on the left

Zachary swimming, with no floats, to the side of the pool


Zachary jumping into the pool and then swimming over to DaU


More swimming with no assistance

Just an amazing thing for us to watch.  We are grateful to the YMCA for all they have done in getting Zach to this point!  He is now VERY excited to take the swim test (swimming the width of the deep end, then treading water for 1 minute) this summer that would allow him to jump off the diving board.  I can't imagine he'll really jump off the diving board, but he's been talking about it for over a year.  Very big deal!