Follow Up of Swimming Lessons @Swimtastic_Swim

We just got done with swimming lessons at Swimtastic.

Super Swimming Lessons!

What I think...

I loved the fact that I could see progress with my kids in swimming. They actually got the strokes down that were being taught to them. The instructor is in the pool, and shows the kids the correct strokes.

Another place we had lessons at before said, "They'll get it eventually." There were times then that the coaches never even got into the water. I was super impressed that Swimtastic didn't take this approach.

Swimming lessons always started on time. That's a huge perk for me!

They have their rules posted. Not all kids shower before lessons. I feel like the staff should enforce that more. I wasn't sure what the rule was for lightening. There was a storm here. We called to see if they were still conducting lessons. They were. I'm not sure how safe that is.

They take more of a personal approach. There's a board in the hallway that has the instructor's name and picture on it. There's also a screen in the waiting room that has the instructor's pop up to see their names, and what their interests are. The screen wasn't always on, or working, but I liked when they had that going.

I liked how they have everything you need there. The boy's goggles were leaking, so we bought some at Swimtastic. The girl at the front helped us pick out the correct size, and adjusted them. They have shirts and bags to. 

I don't like that they have a glass counter full of junk food when it's a place to get fit. Snacks are great! Have nuts, seeds, and trail mix. There are healthier options for snacks. 

The Pool taken with my fisheye lens.

What does Mica think?

Mica was the least excited about starting up lessons. He was so into it once he began. Mica is actually bummed it is over.

He liked how Swimtastic works more one on one with him. He was really getting his strokes down! He was more serious about learning this time around. I don't know if it was the coach, the place, or possibly he's more mature.

There was only one thing that Mica didn't care for. His coach said that she'd have Mica's progress report one week, didn't have it, and had it the week after. Mica remembers stuff like that. I didn't think it was a big deal.

Pretending to hold his breath underwater. Taken with my fisheye lens.

What does Isaak think?

Isaak was excited to start swimming lessons. He laughed at every lesson.

He loved their flippers, and learning the frog kick.

Isaak did miss the previous place's deep end. Isaak loved how the place before would get out a pole, put it in the deep end, and he'd have to swim to reach the bottom. That apparently was his favorite part of swimming lessons. We heard about him missing this aspect of swimming lessons each and every time. He's at this stage where he thinks everything needs to be fun. The practical application is what I care about.

Taken with my fisheye lens.

Swimtastic is a hidden gem that's behind PE 101 in Omaha, Nebraska.

If you don't live in Omaha, Swimtastic is in other spots in the US: Lincoln, Nebraska | Captive, Florida | Fox Cities, Wisconsin | Waukesha, Wisconsin | Franklin, Wisconsin

Everyone was happy every time we went. The staff was eager to help.

Overall the kids enjoyed their lessons. Their skills really grew. I wanted to continue them. They are fairly pricy, and I have the summer booked with camps already.

Swimtastic also has birthday parties that you can book there.

It was a great experience overall!

Follow Swimtastic on twitter, and like their facebook page.

Disclaimer: I received free lessons for the purpose of this review. The opinions are 100% mine. 

The Start of Swimming Lessons at @Swimtastic_Swim

Last week our boys started swimming lessons at Swimtastic. It's a hidden gem that's behind PE 101 in Omaha, Nebraska.

If you don't live in Omaha, Swimtastic is in other spots in the US: Lincoln, Nebraska | Captive, Florida | Fox Cities, Wisconsin | Waukesha, Wisconsin | Franklin, Wisconsin

It's been about a year and a half since they've had lessons. I wasn't sure where they'd fit in. I'm glad the staff at Swimtastic was willing to work with them. Later we found the lessons they are more suited for, which they start tonight.

When we went in there was a desk where the staff greeted us. Everyone seems very happy to be working there, and eager to show us around.

It has a really open floor plan once you enter the spot where parents sit. It's called the Observation Deck.  

Inside the Observation Deck There is:

• Open space - One can sit close to the pool, or in the back to be on bathroom duty for their little kids

• Some toys for little kids to play - Fun for siblings not in swimming lessons just yet 

• Signs about pool safety - I'm not sure how much they are read, but certainly important

• Fun fish that hang from the ceiling - Added fun to the room

• Patio plastic chairs for parents to sit - I liked sitting on these chairs over bleachers

• Concession stand filled with candy - I kind of wish this spot had more things like Protein Bars and other healthy snacks

• Swimtastic merchandise - To make them a one stop swimming place 

• A monitor - That shows Swimtastic instructors 

I'm not used to being behind glass to view my kids in their lessons. I didn't mind it. It was less noisy. It keeps the establishment cleaner with less traffic into the pool area!

If I could add something to this area it would be small cubby lockers.

Shower and Bathrooms:

I have to be honest I didn't get a good look at this area. I'm only going off what Travis, Mica and Isaak said.

They are clean, but pretty small. There are no lockers in this area. Plan on having a big swim bag.

They have a boys and girls bathroom. I do like that they have 1 added family shower and bathroom. This is something I always wanted when we were at the Y.

Shower time after swimming lessons was always the most stressful time of the week. The kids were wound up after their lessons, it is close to bedtime, and kids act like they can't get their wet suit off their body. It's nice to have one room that a whole family can go to take care of the showering part.

There are colored spots in the hallway of the bathrooms where kids stand to show they are ready for their lessons.

The Pool:

The pool has 90 degree water. Isaak looked cautious when jumping in because he was expecting it to be cold. It wasn't. 

They have lanes marked off for different swimming classes. I love that they could get both my boys in at the same time! 

There is a slide, but as you can see in the picture below there's no diving allowed. It's too shallow of a pool to dive in. 

At Swimtastic the instructors seem like they really want the kids to learn what they are there for - to swim. 

My boys forgot so much of what they learned in swimming lessons before. Isaak said, "I hate swimming backwards." I said, "I'm glad they made you! It's important for you to learn how to swim like that!" 

It did seem like younger kids go there. That might change with our lessons tonight. Mica will be in a class with kids more his age. 

Overall the kids are enjoying getting back into their lessons. I'm glad I was asked to do this. Did you take swimming lessons when you were younger? What's something you remember about them?

Follow Swimtastic on twitter, and like their facebook page.

Disclaimer: I received free lessons for the purpose of this review. The opinions are 100% mine. I will be blogging about their lessons again towards the end.

Flop

Mica's back float was great in swimming lessons today.

When it came time to dive, he kept flopping. It looked painful.

He's been telling us that his last coach said that he needed to breathe under water when he swam freestyle. Daddy and I both told him that he must of misunderstood his coach. I explained that your head stays underwater until you have to breathe; at that time you tilt your head to the side to breath. I demonstrated. I mentioned that you tilt your head to one side to breathe, then to the other when it's time to take another breath. I watched him swim the freestyle today. What does he do? He kept his head out of the water the whole time, tilting his head back and forth constantly to breathe. He totally misunderstood me. It was funny to watch. I knew what he was trying to do. He swam better before I talked to him about tilting his head to breathe.

Isaak cried almost the entire time last week. It was all because he didn't know his coach. He was crying out my name. I kept thinking, Do I go over there, or do I just ignore that my son is interrupting  the entire lesson? I went to stand up and the lifeguard pointed for me to sit down. She was his coach previously. I know Isaak and all the rest of the kids would do better if they had the same coach. I also know that's impossible.

I had two options sympathize with Isaak (baby him), or be the strict mom (give him a wake up call). I chose to be the strict mom. Isaak cries to get out of things. I always hated hearing kids whine; now I have a kid that whines! I told him after lessons last week in a firm voice, "Listen Isaak you can not cry the whole lesson! Other kids are trying to pay attention to the teacher (he calls them "teachers," when they are really coaches.) They can not pay attention when you are crying the whole time. Mommy is in the room, I'm not going to leave you. Your teacher is nice. You can't learn when you are fussing like a baby. You are a big boy!" Possibly I came off harsh, but I think he needed to hear that. Today I gave Isaak an ultimatum, "If you cry, you will not get school supplies at the store today." Again harsh. Guess what? He didn't cry at all.

He swam the length of the pool twice with no floater devices. All the other kids needed them.

Then the little punk a monk wouldn't go in the locker room until he got to say, "Goodbye" to his teacher (coach). It turns out he likes her after all.

Tonight I Watched Isaak Swim Like a Dolphin

Isaak can swim without the noodle. Sometimes he likes it on just because he can't touch the bottom. Little man gets tired after awhile. 

He had a slight crowd though when he showed of that he can swim like a dolphin!

*Side note: My voice is coming back!!! :) I still am pretty horse, but not as bad as before! Now I just feel the urge to cough, cough, cough.

Tonight Went Better Then Expected

Daddy worked at the gallery tonight. It's generally pretty hectic when I have to go pick up Mica, go pick up Isaak, come home and make dinner and then get everyone ready for swimming (if everything works out).

Mica was pretty excited to see me when I picked him up. I love how he greats me with a gigantic hug.

Then when we went to go get Isaak at Grandma and Grandpa's, Isaak was playing in the driveway with a little shovel and a beetle. That boy is fascinated with bugs!

Grandma Spiehs had cookies for the boys and I asked Isaak if he'd share with me? He actually did.

When we got home I had all kinds of things going on the stove and in the oven: Chicken that I marinaded, sweet potato, steamed broccoli and one ear of corn that we split. 

Usually during dinner time the boys are pretty needy. Tonight was different. Isaak played with the USA Melissa and Doug puzzle.

Source

Isaak brought in the Nebraska piece and said, "Is this where we live Mommy?" I said, "Yep." He said, "No! We live on insert address here!" I said, "Yes that is our address. Our city is Omaha and our state is Nebraska." He said, "Oh."

Then he brought me the New York piece and said, "Mommy this is where the Ghost Busters live!" I didn't try and dispute that one. I just sort of nodded my head and said, "Yep." It had the statue of liberty on the piece; that was in the movie.

The boys loved dinner. Mica asked for more chicken.

Everyone got ready to go swimming with little chaos. I think Isaak got the point that he needs to get ready for now on. Once we made him sit out of the pool because he wouldn't get ready.

We got to the pool. It was then that I realized Isaak's trunks were on backwards. At least he tried! The pool was cold and packed. We didn't swim for a very long time.

In the car Mica said, "Well in China it's getting light right about now." Isaak said, "I don't understand what you are saying Mica." Mica said, "Well in China it's getting light right about now." Isaak said, "Mica I heard what you said! I just don't understand what you are saying." Mica said, "When we get home I'll show you where China is on the globe." Sure enough we got home and Mica showed Isaak the globe; where we live and where China is. Isaak said, "Thank you for showing me Mica."

I'm hoping Isaak's changing stages from the trying threes to the fantastic fours. I told them I was very impressed with their behavior!  

Tonight We Swam and Swam

Daddy and I have been trying to see who can walk on their hands under water farther. The boys think it's funny to see our legs and feet sticking out of the water. Mica was trying to grab my legs. I really didn't mind so much, but I thought I might accidentally kick him in the head. We had to tell him to back away. So far I can walk on my hands farther than Daddy.

Daddy beats me with underwater swimming though. Somehow I try and go deep down underwater to swim, and I always end up floating to the top. I told Daddy it's because I have extra floatation devices up top that he doesn't have. LOL

I love to swim laps, but I have to say that I don't swim straight. I'll be swimming, it feels like I'm going straight. I can see the line under the water and I follow it. Then BAM I hit the rope with my head or side. I feel like such a dork. Then I laugh at myself.

Mica has learned how to free style swim. He swims about 1/2 way down the pool.

Isaak can freestyle, but he still relies on the noodle. I don't blame him really. He's too little to touch. I think it's hard to do something when you know there's that possibility of sinking or falling.

Do you like to swim?

I was thinking today how it would be cool to deep sea dive. What would be even more sweet is having an underwater camera to capture the experience.

A Relaxing End to a Crazy Week

I didn't have much time to breathe this week. Next week is finials time for my students. That pretty much means a lot of writing for me. I wrote review sheets, exams and answers and questions for a review game.

The review game is new this year. I call up three students.  Each student has a buzzer of some kind. My assistant answers the question and the student chime in to ask the question. It's Jeopardy style. If none of the three students chime in, the audience gets a chance to steel. For each point that they get, they earn two extra credit points. Some racked up points more than others.

I wrote the answers and questions, so my assistant didn't know what they were going to read before they read it. My favorite was for my assistant Mike today went something like this: Mike said, "PMS." Students: Giggled a lot. Then the student said, "What is Pantone Matching System?" I just loved it. I think it's crazy how they use PMS as an abbreviation for standard print colors, Pantone Matching System! My art students always giggle about it and they are in college.

I had two major projects due this week. Only one has been graded. It's a crazy rule breaking project. They have to paint the background, add packaging tape, paint the middle ground, add packaging tape, paint the foreground, add packaging tape and paint the details. It's kind of cool because they don't have to wait for their paint to dry. None of the student have ever painted this way. I loved seeing the results!

Here's my favorites:

Meet John Lemon:

 Meet Mr. Glutton:

 Tea Time with Bear:

I did have two issues with students this week: 

One guy did a strong message piece about suicide. It was a good concept. Well, it was sitting on his desk and he disappeared for a few days. Two other instructors freaked out thinking he could be true to his piece. To sum a long story up, everything is fine.

Another student got mad at me because I marked him absent. We take attendance and it effects their grade after they hit 3 absences for one class a week. Now his grade is suffering. Of course this is all my fault. He's not to blame at all. The last two sentences are what he thinks. I just follow school policy.

Those two situations were exhausting. 

The relaxing part of tonight:

Tonight we went to the YMCA up the street and went swimming for an hour! It felt nice to get away from it all! At first I didn't think we'd be able to go. I couldn't find Mica's swim trunks anywhere. I finally found them. It was odd going swimming while it's freezing cold outside! For awhile we had the pool to ourselves. I won a two month membership through Mica's school.

Then we came home and it was well past bed time! I got Isaak ready for bed, while Daddy assisted Mica. Mica was really tired. He needed more assisting than usual.

Isaak said, "Mommy you pretend to be Grandpa Spiehs and I'll be Grandma." I said, "Ok Grandma get your pjs on!" He said, "Ok Grandpa!" Then I said, "Get your diaper on over your underwear Grandma." He's still wets every once in awhile at night; I want him to feel his wetness, but protect his bedding! He said, "But Grandpa I don't wear diapers." I said, "Ok well pretend you are Great Grandma Kent then. She wears diapers." She has Alzheimer's disease, so that's why she wears diapers. That lead into a whole discussion about how some adults need diapers.

Off to bed.