As I mentioned previously*, Fruit Loop takes swimming lessons. The program, the Chicago Swim School, is based on the Starfish Swim School curriculum. Children are taught foundational skills from the beginning, and build progressively upon that as they graduate through each level. I am really impressed with this program. The instructors are, for the most part, very experienced and knowledgeable, and the program is designed to be both fun and work.

Fruit Loop is currently in the Red level - the 2nd level, for children who have demonstrated an ability to float and be comfortable in the water. Red is notoriously hard. UGH. It's a big leap from the first level, White, to graduating from Red. Students must be able to submerge and float up, roll from front to back and float, and - the real kicker - jump in and come up to float on their backs all by themselves. (You laugh, sure, but for little 3 year olds - especially those who sink like a stone, thankyouverymuchHottieMcHots'sgenetics - it is WORK!)

With the first two skills, a ribbon (of the color matching the level with which that skill is a benchmark) is awarded. Upon completion of the final, culminatory (probably not a real word) skill, the child earns a patch for that color and has officially graduated to the next level.

So yeah. The Red level and I were quickly approaching not-speaking terms. Until! Today! HE DID IT!! Something done clicked in the fruit loop's brain, and he done did it! Now he just has to show his teacher it wasn't a fluke by giving a repeat performance at his class next week, and he'll have passed out of the Red level!

We have been in the Red level for over. a. year. That realization right there makes me want to tear my hair out. You have no idea.

(Unless, of course, you are a fellow parent whose child is enrolled in Starfish-based swim lessons and IS CURRENTLY IN RED LEVEL HELL.)

(I kid. It's not REALLY Hell. Duh. It's just long and arduous and NEVERENDING MISERY AFTER THIS LONG.)

(Of course, it's only really misery for the parents. The kids could care less. "Why, sure, Mom, I'd LOVE to go to swimming and spend the whole time splashing, talking/fighting with the other kids, doing things my way because I - at 3 or 4 years old - totally know way more about this stuff than any old teacher could tell me.")

(Not that Fruit Loop fights with the other kids. Though he does have permission to hit a kid if the kid hits him first. But that's a whole 'nother post.)

Anyway. Point. (There is one, I assure you.) Fruit Loop is this close to earning his Red patch! This has been a long time coming, and he totally deserves it. After all of his hard work, I am so proud of him. Yay, Fruit Loop!!




*I considered rubbing it in again: to all you yuppity-duppity moms out there, MY SON IS NOT IN PRESCHOOL!! (<-- said with much glee) Instead of preschool (read: daycare), he does fun, wholesome, well-rounded things. Like swimming! Art class! Soccer! Kumon! But that makes me seem like I'm anti-establishment or anti-yuppy-ism or a hater or whatever. Which I'm totally not. (In fact, see several of those activities = definition of yuppy or overprivileged or whatever you want to call it.) And, yes, I realize preschools typically put together a number of programs designed to produce well-rounded, socially competent children. I just enjoy the decision to remove myself and my family from the rat race that is parenting in these times of strollers that cost more than many people's monthly income.

...And yet, I still like me them strollers. Argh.

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