Swimmingly...

Alex started taking swimming lessons at Goldfish Swim School about a year and a half ago.  We had done a few baby classes together before that, but with me in the pool she was reluctant to let go (like fingernails digging in me neck reluctant).  With me out of the way and on the other side of the glass, she took off.  They are great and she learned fast and loved it and rose in the ranks.

They have many levels for classes, and a set of skills you must accomplish to move on.  Last week her instructor moved her up again...

Yesterday she began Goldfish Pro level.  The last level before you start on the swim "team".  She was nervous and excited...

She did great, but was not quite ready for the work load.  They swam a lot.  Like a lot.  More in one class than she did in a month in the last class.  No rest.  Little instruction.  Go.  Go.  Go.

By the end, when she was expected to swim 10 continuous lengths of the pool, she was done.  She would make it a few strokes and then just tread water until the in instructor came to her rescue.  At which time he gave her a push and a hardy "keep going!".  It was a struggle, but her rosy little cheeks never stopped smiling.  I think we'll be in this level for a while...

Pop goes the weasle...

Alex digs music.  Maybe not the music we want her to dig.  She is all about pop music... she calls it "her" music.  As in, "Daddy, may you please turn on MY music?".  As in, "Daddy, that's not MY music!". 

She either knows all the words to the songs on XM Hits 1, or mumbles along to pretend she does.  It is often disconcerting (due to the content of the lyrics), but if she is anything like her mother she doesn't actually care what the song is about.  They like the music... I am the only one burdened by the words.

She has chosen her instrument as well...

God help us.

*Conversation in the car yesterday immediately following a Justin Beiber song...

A:   Daddy, is Justin Beiber a boy or a girl.

W:   A boy.

A:   Huh.  It's hard to tell.

Could only be funnier if she meant it to be.