Swimming and Baseball

This June we signed up our kids for a full month of swimming and Ashton had his first season of Coach Pitch Baseball.

Here are some pictures and a story or two to go with them.

This Year Sage passed both level three and four in swimming. She is coming along nicely with her endurance but needs to work on keeping her face down in the water and lined up with the rest of her body. Sage really loves the water and is becoming very comfortable with it which makes her parents happy since we feel its very important that a child knows how to swim for their own safety.

Ashton took level one this year... and his teacher did not pass him and recommended he stay in level one for one more session. His mom knowing that was a bunch of bull hocky put him in level two anyway. Within one day of the two week session in level two they moved him up to level three.  Take that you crazy level one teacher!! Level three was in the deep pool. And at first Ashton was scared sensless to even try and swim in the deep pool. Somehow he had it in his head that swimming in a deep pull was different... and that in a deep pool he could not float like in a more shallow one. But after a lot of patience and  confidence building Ashton's mom helped him defeat his fears. Ashton did not quite pass level three but came close! He simply needs to work on his back floats a little more. He can however do a front crawl just fine. His mom and dad are very proud of him for facing his fears. Anyone who knows Ashton well, knows that he has a hard time conquering his fears at times and can be rather sensitive.

Jace had his first year of swim lessons. Because of his age he had to take them with an adult. Because I had little Ryker I could not do them with him so Grandma Dudley helped out and took him for the two weeks he was enrolled. Jace became comfortable with floating on his back assisted, putting his ears in the water, jumping in the water, and simply being in the water. Grandma Dudley and Jace loved their time together.

Ashton had his first summer of baseball. Having never played baseball before there was quite the learning curve to conquer. But when all was said and done he had improved a  lot. In the beginning of the season Ashton would not focus long enough to watch the ball no matter how soft it was thrown to him. So we bought him his own bat and balls and worked with him a LOT. By the end of the season he could hit soft throws more often than not and even managed to finally get an actual hit during a game thrown by his coach! You should have seen his face when he realized he got an actual hit! He was so proud of himself.

He also learned what it meant to RUN to a base. At first he practically walked to the bases as if taking a leisurely stroll in the park. I explained to him that there was some urgency in getting to the base before getting tagged with the ball... but he still seem to lack the will to actually run. Finally I said, "Ashton pretend that there is a tiger chasing you... and you are running for your life!" Well I can't say he set any records but at least it looked like he was running and not walking lol.

After the last game of the season they gave him a medal. Ashton was so pleased to get an actual heavy metal. It was not plastic like the ones he had recieved in the past and he cherished it greatly. We can't wait to see how he does next year! And Sage and Jace after seeing how much fun baseball could be both want to join him!