A little Bryce brag

I just have to take a minute and brag on Bryce. Ever since he was a baby, he has enjoyed being in the water. He never wanted his face, ears, mouth, nose or hair to get wet though. He wouldn't jump in even with a floaty vest on because water might splash his face. Sigh. I grew up swimming and loving every minute of it. I have been trying to get him to be more adventurous in the water since the summer of 2007 (he would have been around 16 months). He was content to float around in his vest and enjoy the water from above.

I should have put him in swim lessons last Spring/Summer but never got around to it. It might be a good thing though because he was more than ready this year. He started lessons in April and by the second week would willingly put his face in. That is all I was hoping for......WOW he surprised me!!! He can now:
Swim the width of my parents pool without taking a breath
Swim the length of the pool taking multiple breaths
Jump off the diving board (can opener, pencil, and his own made up Iron Man and Hulk jumps are his favorites)
Swim to the ladder after jumping off the diving board
Almost reach the bottom of the deep end by doing the pencil jump
Do a front flip underwater
Swim to the bottom of the shallow end to pick up sinking toys (this was tricky, he is so buoyant it was hard for him to get down there on his own!)
Dive into the water from the side of the pool (he's doing the bend down, head tucked roll, but it is a dive!)
Tread water
Float on his back and be relaxed while doing it
Swim for HOURS at a time without getting tired
We let him swim by himself the other day (3 adults were watching but not in our suits) and he thought that was so cool! I did too, I never ever imagined that I would be able to do that with my 4 year old who wasn't comfortable in the water just a couple of months ago!

Bryce, I am so proud of you and love spending so much time with you in the water!!!!!!!