Were they born with Gills?

If I could have a penny for every time someone asked this to me I would be set for life and so would the kids. They are fish. It's undeniable. They are part fish and every once in a while when I am checking their cleanliness after a shower I do peek behind the ears to make sure that gills have not sprouted. They have been swimming since birth and at the age of 2-3 they could swim under water without a problem.

It was a big week in our organized chaotic life. Faith and Trevor both passed the swim test down at the pool!!! I am so very proud of them! You can see little Miss Faith doing one of her many cannonballs "legally" over in the deep end!

Now I have a confession to make.....

In order to swim in the deep side of the pool you have to be able to swim above water from where I am standing taking her picture, maybe even back a little, to where you can see the ladder in the photo and back. It's a pretty good distance.

Faith could have probably passed the swim test back in June when the pool opened. I wouldn't let her test because I didn't want her to pass before Trevor. I actually think they were going to pass Trevor when he first took it but I told the lifeguard that I wanted her to fail him.

I know, I know. I am a mean mother....Not really. He needed to be better. If I had let her pass him he would have quit trying to improve. I was not comfortable with his swimming skills above water yet and wanted him to practice more. In fact, had I not been forced to have them test they wouldn't have done it this summer.

I take them to the deep end so that they can jump. We have been doing this for years. There is a concrete wall with a chainlink fence on top that separates the low pool (1ft-3ft) and the big pool (5ft-9ft). I liked the security of the low end. I know that I can walk to the bathroom with them on that side and they will be ok for the 5 minutes I am gone. I don't have that luxury anymore. I can't sit and read while they are in the pool anymore. It scares me to take my eyes off of them for 2 seconds. They are strong swimmers but it scares me. My hip and back are not as they used to be. I have a very hard time swimming myself. while there are lifeguards there...they are my children and I will watch them. So I liked the security of being in the low end for 90% of the day.

We were down there as usual. Faith brought her friend with her that day too. They asked to swim in the deep end. I told them ok. We have to swim on the far side so that we don't get "caught". Brycen has been swimming over there since last year when he passed. Trevor and Brycen went to the right side. Olivia and Faith went to swim on the black ramp. The lifeguard asked them if they passed the test. Faith said no. I called them over but it was too late. A lifeguard came over after they did and told me that she couldn't swim if she didn't pass the test. I had already explained to Faith that she couldn't test until I was comfortable with Trevor's swimming. He would have been devastated if she passed before he did. She was willing to do this for her brother (love that kid). Brycen and Trevor were swimming and we weren't questioned on him.

I made Faith come out of the water. I tried as best I could to explain to the lifeguard that she could pass the test I just didn't want her testing. Normally, this wouldn't even be an issue. I know all these kids. They all went to school with Brenden. They knew my reasons and were ok with it. They have seen my kids swim for years. This girl was new. I kind of got snarky with her and she yelled at Faith and made her come out of the deep end. Faith started crying. I made Trevor get out. They were heartbroken.

I caved within seconds. I let them test. She went first and passed just like I knew she would. Trevor looked at me and started to cry. He knew he may not pass. I told him to get in and swim as best he could. Don't wiggle his hips and remember to come up every 4th stroke for air. Then I prayed. HE DID IT!!! I bursted into tears right then and there. I have never been so proud of that boy in my life!!!

So they are officially allowed in the deep end. He has improved with every stroke. He is a really good swimmer! He has been watching the Olympics with me. He is in awe of Michael Phelps....as we all are. He wants to do that. He also wants to dive. He has been practicing and out of the 3 of my children he is the best. Brycen and Faith can't dive...but Trev can and for him that's huge! He can do something they can't. He is revelling in it. He wants to sign up for the YMCA and he wants to start diving and possibly join the swim team. This is huge for Trevor. He doesn't like team sports but I think something like a swim team would be great for him.

So we will be at FR swimming until it closes on the 24th. Then we will join the Y. He says he wants to win a Gold Medal in swimming and you know....someday he just may.