Move over Michael Phelps!

Gage and Landen finished out their intense swimming lessons last Tuesday. I wanted to recap lessons 3 through 5 since the first two were full of crying and screaming. Lesson 3 was on a Thursday and pretty much went the same as the previous two lessons. Gage cried and whined for the entire 2o minutes and Landen screamed. The instructor initially said by Lesson 3 the kids know who's boss and listen to him. I'm glad my kids could be the ones to prove him wrong. Mike attended this lesson and couldn't believe it. He took away their prized possessions. Gage's Ben 10 watch and Landen's cars were hidden.

Monday was Lesson 4 and I had to endure it alone. I know bribing isn't the best policy but sometimes there is a time and a place for it and I was desperate. I told Gage and Landen they could pick out a toy at the toy store if they were good for their last two lessons. Both agreed and I was prepared for the worst. Lesson 4 started with Gage and he was an entirely different child. He did awesome! He was swimming and actually enjoying himself. When Gage finished he said, "Wow mommy, that was a short lesson." It's amazing how short a lesson seems when they aren't crying. Landen was up next and I actually thought he would just follow in Gage's footsteps. I was wrong. The screaming continued for the entire 20 minutes. Landen always has to go to the bathroom right after because he swallows so much water.

Tuesday was Lesson 5. On the way there I was telling Gage he still needed to be good for this last lesson if he wanted his toy. He said, "No problem." Landen and I had the following conversation:

Me: "Landen you need to be good for this lesson or I won't
buy you a new toy."
Landen: "Mommy, I don't want to be good."
Me: "You don't want to be good? Don't you want me to buy you
that shiny new fast car you saw?"
Landen: "No, I'll just get it for my birthday because I don't want to be good."
Me: "Landen, if you're not good I'm not going to buy it for your birthday."
Landen: "Ok, I'll just buy it myself."
Me: "Landen, you don't have any money. How are you going to buy it?"
Landen: "I'll use Gager's money."

Needless to say, Landen was not good. Gage was wonderful again and while sitting there listening to Landen scream during his lesson Gage and I had this conversation:

Gage: "Mommy, I get a toy right?
Me: "Yes, Gage. You did great."
Gage: "Landen's crying so he doesn't get a toy? Won't he be sad?"
Me: "He's not being good for his lesson. Landen does not get a toy."
Gage: "Mommy, I don't think Landen is crying. I think they are tears of joy."

Nice try Gage. Glad he tried to stick up for his brother.

Overall, I am very impressed with how Gage is swimming. He never has been able to swim as much as he is now. Landen on the other hand took a step back I think. I just wish the instructor wouldn't have been so confident when I first signed my kids up. He said he could get any kid swimming from one end of the pool to the other by the last lesson. He really should have excluded three year olds.

I actually have signed them up for another week of 5 2o minute lessons starting on the 21st. Hopefully Landen will do better.