Last summer Adria was very hesitant when it came to the water and swimming. She was afraid to swim around with just a life vest or any kind of floating device on her own. She had to be held and very gradually eased into the water. She often screamed at first and hated the feel of the wet bathing suit on her skin.
And the ocean? Forget it. We took Adria and Johanna to the beach last July for the first time in a while. Adria loved the sand, and she even impressed us by walking on the beach barefoot! However, when we tried to take her down to the water she SCREAMED. She would barely allow the water from the crash of a wave to run over her toes. In all honestly, I was annoyed and worried about her extreme apprehension of water.
I have always loved swimming, and it was a major part of my summer fun as a child. I really wanted Adria to like it, especially since I thought it would be great exercise and "therapy" for her legs to kick in the water.
All in good time... this summer is a completely different story. With almost no prodding or pushing, Adria has taken to the water this year and LOVES IT! We have enjoyed my aunt's pool several times already, gone to a friend's pool birthday party, and went to the beach this week. Instead of avoiding the water, Adria doesn't want to get out! She'll swim around for hours with just her swimming vest on, and this time she screams when it's time to leave. Silly girl.
It is such a joy to watch her fully embrace this activity that is so good for her. And little sister Johanna is becoming quite the fish too. But Jo-Jo would rather get out of the pool and repeatedly jump and splash into my arms than actually stay in the water. And at the beach, she prefers throwing sand into the water.
Let's take a look at some photos from last year and this year.
2013
Adria swimming with Grandma's help last summer at Aunt Bon's pool
Johanna catching up with some friends at the pool :)
Adria being held by my brother Cameron last year
Beach day last July...more about sand than water
2014
Things are different this summer, as Adria embraces her independence in the water!
Whether in a big pool or the kiddie pool in Grandma's backyard, these girls LOVE the water.
And, I'm surprised at how confident they are this year with the crashing waves of the ocean on Delaware's shores. We had a great day at the beach this week with my sister and her family visiting from Vermont. Our favorite family beach is Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes, Del. where both Adrian and I spent many hours in the sand and waves as children.
We arrived early on a weekday and claimed a great spot.
Aunt Lil watches as the girls are testing the sand and couldn't wait to get to the water
Adria wanted Uncle Keith to help her play in the waves.
She did not want to stop!
And of course Daddy took his turn with Adria in the waves.
Johanna enjoying the water with Mommy.
About an hour after we arrived, a kid's summer camp with 100+ children around 10 years old sat down right behind us...Suddenly, our great beach spot wasn't as nice, but we made the most of it and tried to avoid loosing our own children in the crowd.
We had quite a few kids of our own with some of Keith's extended family joining us for the day.
When the water was too full of people, we played in the sand.
Adria, Sophie, Asher and Jo are trying to bury my legs and make me a mermaid :)
Johanna as a sand mermaid...cutie pie
My man and I with Jo-Jo. We took the girls out into the water but it really was chilly!
They have a plan...
Where did Keith go? Is there something under that towel?
Peek-a-boo! The kids and Lil completely buried Keith.
After the sand and water, we headed to Funland on Rehoboth's boardwalk.
This place has been around since my Dad was a child and is still one of the most affordable places for rides and games. My siblings and I came here as children, and I'm quite sure there's a picture somewhere of my sister Lilli and I riding the same ride my little girls are enjoying here.
I even took a ride on the Paratrooper, which provides some great views as you fly around in circles.
Adria's cousin Sophie was just tall enough to join her mom on the Paratrooper.
The classic boardwalk ride.
While Adria impressed me with her confidence in the water that day, she also showed new confidence on the rides...
It was her first time riding one of the horses on a carousel!
Previously, she was afraid of them and would only agree to sit with me on a carousel bench.
I'm not certain of her fear, but I suspect it's related to the reduced sensation in her legs and being worried she would fall off. But she road like a champ and is now a big fan.
(I think it helped that she saw all her cousins riding it too!)
Some of our family milestones are big and dramatic while others are small and almost go unnoticed. Seeing Adria gain confidence and independence in areas like swimming and riding the horse on a carousel are definitely exciting little moments worth celebrating!
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