Surprises...

Each Monday Jonathan has adaptive aquatics (swimming lessons one on one for special needs children) with his instructor Sandy.  Ian wanted to have swimming lessons, too, but since he has always had an aversion to water in his face, we weren't ready to invest in swimming lessons until he could get his face wet without screaming.  Sandy told him to come with Jonathan each week and she'd let him spend time in the shallow end of the pool to 'get used to the water' while she worked with Jon.  Over the weeks Ian would get a little braver and try some of the suggestions Sandy made.  A couple of weeks ago Sandy had her underwater camera at the pool and took some pictures of the boys.  As you can see, Ian isn't having any problems with his face getting wet!  This last Monday while working with Jonathan, Sandy asked Ian if he'd like to try touching the bottom of the pool while using the 'fireman pole'.  Ian agreed and did his best, but his ears bothered him as he went down.  Sandy then suggested that he try swimming to the ladder (about 6 feet away) while staying along the edge of the pool so he could grab hold of the side if he needed to take a break.  He swam to the ladder and asked if it was okay for him to try to swim to the end of the pool (at the 11 foot deep end!).  She nodded and as I watched in amazement, Ian swam to the end of the pool with just a couple of stops to catch his breath.  He's now telling me that he thinks he's ready to try the diving board!  I guess we don't have any more excuses for him not to take 'official' swimming lessons.  (I can't seem to get the picture to load right but you can get the idea...)












On Valentine's Day we received another surprise.  Wayne had been talking to the salesman we have purchased our last few vehicles from about the possibility of finding a replacement for our van.  I have put a LOT of miles on the faithful van and we were beginning to see a need for more frequent garage 'visits'.  The salesman had a van that was a year newer than our current van with a LOT less miles and features that would make our many trips more comfortable and less 'worrisome' for Wayne when I was out transporting children here and there.  They had a perspective buyer for our current van.  By the end of the day, the decision had been made...we were getting the new van and by Friday evening the new van was in the driveway.  I asked Wayne how he was going to top this gift next Valentine's Day.