I actually wrote this at the end of summer, but I couldn't figure out how to upload my pictures at the time. Since then, we have started homeschooling, bought a house, traveled out of state without the kids, and a lot of other things I am going to blog about in the near future :) So, whatever - here it is...
This has definitely been the summer of chlorine, bathing suits, and endless loads of towel washing. The summer of swim! Seriously, I could tell anyone how to get from Green Hills to Prarie Life Gym in Cool Springs with my eyes closed and both hands tied behind my back. We spent 5 weeks burning up the road Monday thru Friday heading to our swim lessons. Our new friend to the famous (no lie - she seriously is THE go to survival swim instructor to all the Nashville celebs and soccer moms alike), Kennette Pyles, taught my children how to jump in the water fully clothed head to toe, swim under water, and flip onto their back to get air and call for help. We are so excited! To prove our zeal - if you came over to visit this summer, my husband enjoyed randomly throwing the kids up way too high in the pool "to see what happens" to make sure he got his money's worth. Very scary, but they "usually" liked it for some weird reason :).
This was taken right before his swim test. Yes, I am aware he is wearing high waters; we gave the jeans away after this picture was taken. It is amazing how fast they grow in between seasons! We were so nervous. He freaked out earlier that week and did this wild "tornado spiral under water thing" when he ran out of breath vs. rolling to his back and floating. Thankfully, Mrs. Kennette was there to intervene. However, he did UH-mazing on his test day! I actually think the clunky shoes helped him remember to not kick and let his feet rise to the water's surface.
Here is a picture of Fisher and Mrs. Kennette after his test. Addie acted all goofy and wouldn't take a picture. She did equally awesome!
We saw her at WalMart a couple of weeks ago and Addison just kept staring at her. It was so funny, because I think it was the only time we saw the rest of her body, from the shoulders down, and not in a wet suit. She was all smiles and of course - there to buy goggles for a student. Kennette is precious to our family and helped turn an almost tragedy into triumph. I would like to note that I had found another instructor closer to our home, but I specifically wanted Kennette because of her story. She became an instructor in honor of her 3 year old son, Ryan. He passed away several years ago while on a family camping vacation to the lake. Like Fisher, everyone was watching the kids. However he unknowingly wandered away and drowned nearby. She flew to Florida, received survival swim training for her then 18 month old daughter, and later became certified to teach the lessons. She is the first in the area to receive certification and has saved hundreds of lives by sharing her knowledge.
Kennette's amazing passion to honor Ryan and help children learn to survive in the water has deeply impacted the Nashville area.
If you are remotely nearby, give her a call! Here is the web address to her website, The Ryan Pyles Aquatic Foundation - www.rpafswim.wordpress.com
Blessings,
Alice
