Fish or Frog?

As summer draws to a close, I figure it's fitting to share the evolution of Eva's swimming over the summer. Early in May we began going to the splash pad in Roanoke. This isn't technically swimming, but she loves playing in the water. Then we got a backporch inflatable pool - again not really swimming, just splashing around to keep cool. When Hawaiian Falls opened later in May we were so excited to take Eva. Last summer she enjoyed floating around and we were curious to see what it would be like. I would say that she does enjoy going to HF, but mostly she wants to spend a few minutes at each stop....although there was the precious moment the other day when she leaned back in her baby float and put her hands behind her head and her feet up...haha! She is much more interested in trying out everything for a short time than to actually swim. I realize that this is fun for her, but it's also exhausting for us! And swimming should be relaxing :) We also have a pass to the community pool, where she does pretty much the same thing - play in the spray area, a quick dip in the big pool, a splash around the kid pool, repeat. And we picked up a free water table sometime (back in July?) which she is enthralled with and loves to pour the water.

So would I say she likes swimming? I'm really not sure. She LOVES splashing and getting wet. And just this week she has started to jump into our arms from the side of the pool (in the video above it almost doesn't look like it because it was her twentieth try, but she really does jump).  I'm sure her enjoyment of swimming will grow over time when she can move more freely in the water. I'm really hoping to get her into swim lessons next summer!

So is she more of a fish or a frog in the water? I'd say frog. She wants to hop from place to place, enjoying the water but not lingering too long in one place.

As for me, I'm honestly about ready for pool season to end. I know, if you know me, this seems shocking. I absolutely love going to the pool....but all this puddle jumping is wearing me out, and since I know our pool time is limited I feel like we have to keep going! I think the pool is only open 7 more days, so we will probably swim at one place or another a few more times.  Ah, bittersweet. I will miss the option of going swimming and the refreshing water (of course we will probably use our inflatable pool and water table for another month or so) At the same time, I'm ready for a break and to fill our days with other activities. #goodbyesummer