Swim Lessons

G has had swimming lessons for going on two weeks now. He was so excited (so it seemed) and then once he started it all went down hill. H took him to his first lesson since I had tennis and said that he did great until the last five minutes and then broke down and decided enough was enough. The next day we went and he dragged his feet and pretty much sulked the entire way to swim lessons and then once inside had a full blown temper tantrum. I don't know what his deal was but I think alot of it has to do with being with a stranger in the pool. I think it's pretty vulnerable for a kid especially when most of the time they are practicing floating on their back. G does NOT like floating on his back. We've been working with him for a while and I was resigned to the fact that someone else besides us would have to teach him. Kids just learn better in certain situations with another people. This is one of those times. Anyway, he screamed for twenty minutes in the pool. He screamed and cried still while performing every excersice, only stopping to hold his breath. It was only when his teacher made a funny face at him under the water that he finally enjoyed himself and started blabbing away.
Today, finally, he went in without hesitation. He likes his newer teacher (they switch around) b/c she knows all about Star Wars. She is the head swim instructor and not a teenager like the rest. I think he responds better to her b/c she's really cool but assertive. G is the type of kid that needs someone to take the bull by the horns b/c of his personality. He is pretty strong willed and will likely slack off b/c he can or because he has more fun being goofy. It's not a bad thing, I love that he really enjoys himself in almost every situation, but there is a time to be serious.
We really talked alot about him thinking about what he was about to do in the pool today b/f he did it and he ended up floating on his back all by himself for 10 seconds!!! I was such a proud mommy!
I have decided that next week I begin packing. We'll have two weeks to go then and I want to make sure that I don't over pack and stress myself out at the last minute. Right now I just hope we have enough luggage! I have all of Prim's clothes put aside and just need to wash them and stick them in a suitcase. It's been a little stressful reading the Thai yahoo board lately so I think I may be opting out until we return. There are some things going on that while extremely painful for other families right now, are causing me stress. My mind starts filling with "what if's" and everything goes downhill from there.
Here is my memory verse for the week:
Psalm 21:1 Lord you are my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? You are the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?