the aery beat: Daddy's swimming lesson

On the last day of Greg's visit--a cold, nasty storming day--we went swimming at the community center.

Mary was so excited to go swimming. It's been a long time since she's been in the water. Six months, I think. During that time she has decided she's too good for her swimming vest. (An endless frustration for me, since she decided, upon discovering that she sinks, that I am her primary flotation device.)

Both David and Mary were especially excited to swim with their daddy, who is also lots of fun in the pool.

Here is the big news! David learned to swim! Yes, I know this is the seventh or eighth time I have made such a declaration on my blog. But I really think it's going to stick this time! He's in swimming lessons (again), and, with some help from his daddy, it all clicked.

David was ecstatic to be swimming from parent to wall to parent to wall and so on and forever.

These pictures of Greg are funny because he looks like Mr. Mean-Dad, when in reality Greg is the nicest, most patient dad ever.

These next two pictures illustrate how ten days with these two balls of energy can start to suck the life out of a parent. I know this only too well. And Greg was reminded of it.